Soldier Ben Ingham has notched up a top award from the army after ditching his 'dead-end job' digging graves.

The 19-year-old from Baildon was declared best at physical training among his reruitment group in the Household Cavalry.

The former Beckfoot Grammar pupil has also battled the problems of dyslexia to score the impressive award - just 12 weeks after joining up.

Trooper Ben, from Oakfield Drive, who joined the army in May and hopes to become a physical training instructor, said: "I am very proud to have won this award.

"Army life is great and it certainly beats my last job - digging graves!"

During his training he has taken part in rock climbing, abseiling and kayaking, as well as learning about drill, marksmanship and first aid.

The award is given to the trainee who consistently proves themselves to be the strongest and fastest during their first 12 weeks.

Ben said: "I was in the Infantry when the BBC programme Soldiers to Be was being filmed. It was grim, I didn't like it, there were no prospects and you don't really get treated well.

"I left the army and then started working as a gravedigger. That was awful, too. It was really depressing and there were no prospects either - it was literally a dead-end job!"

But Ben always dreamed of a career in the army and decided to rejoin in May, this time in the Household Cavalry.

"I really enjoy it now," he said. "As a gravedigger I'd wake up and groan thinking about work. Now I look forward to it.

"It's done my confidence the world of good especially as at school my dyslexia was not picked up on.

"I went through Salts Grammar School feeling stupid and it was only when I joined Beckfoot Grammar that they recognised what the problem was."

Inspecting officer brigadier James Shaw MBE presented Ben with his trophy, an engraved pewter tankard, at his passing out parade in Hertfordshire at the beginning of August.

Ben will now continue his training at Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment in London's Knightsbridge where he will learn ceremonial duties.

"My family are really proud of me and I'm just so glad that I stuck with my dream and didn't give up," he said.