PART-time karate instructor Alex Snowden has swapped her black belt for a green belt as she trains to be a weekend soldier.

Alex, aged 22, left, from Astley, confesses to being hyperactive but thinks she has found something to match her energy.

Slightly built Alex, a post graduate student studying for a masters degree in Economics at Manchester University, has been keen on karate for some time.

She now teaches part-time at schools and community centres. A two week basic training course is underway near Lancaster for 25 recruits, including six from Bolton who belong to the Nelson Street Territorial Army Centre.

Alex came top in shooting and the others survived the best the army can throw at them as they underwent the rigours of three nights under canvas on Holcombe Moor.

The course, which will stretch them to the limit, comes to an end shortly.

Thoughts of bruises and blisters will be forgotten for a while as they proudly pass out on parade in front of their family and friends.

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