Sub Lieutenants Simon Forbes, from Bungay, and Katie Ives, from Norwich, have now completed their 30-week intensive initial naval training course - photo by Craig Keating

Two Royal Navy Officer Cadets from Norwich have marched out during a parade attended by the prime minister, becoming among the first to complete a newly enhanced basic training course at Britannia Royal Naval College.

Sub Lieutenants Simon Forbes, from Bungay, and Katie Ives, from Norwich, have now completed their 30-week intensive initial naval training course. They were among 68 officer cadets on parade to mark the completion of their training. Mr Forbes, 26, is a former pupil of Bungay High School, and Miss Ives, 22, is a former Thorpe St Andrew High School student.

Mr Forbes said: “My highlights of the course have included a gruelling five-day exercise on the freezing cold, wet and all-round inhospitable environment of Dartmoor, run by the Royal Marines.

“The experience was an unpleasant, painful but downright gratifying one, once done and dusted.”

Miss Ives added: “Taking part in the decommissioning ceremony for HMS York during my initial fleet time was a highlight of training.

“I also enjoyed visiting Tallinn in Estonia, Brest in France, Bournemouth and Hull, while on board.”

With their basic training complete, SLt Forbes and SLt Ives will transfer to HMS Collingwood, in Hampshire, to start their specialist training, in preparation for their role as weapons engineering officers.