A soldier from Clacton has become one of the first in the British Army to use an all-terrain armoured vehicle.

Lance Corporal Stevie Veal is in the Royal Anglian Regiment - nicknamed the Vikings - which is fighting in the Helmand Province in southern Afghanistan.

The 24-year-old's unit, the 1st Battalion, Royal Anglians, are the first unit to use the Viking "battlefield taxi".

The amphibious vehicles - the BVS10 made by BAE Systems - are usually used by the Royal Marines but now have an upgraded weapons systems.

Lance Corporal Veal, who joined the Army in 2001, said: "This is my third tour but the first time we have had the Vikings, which take us up to the battlefield where we dismount.

"I think they are brilliant pieces of kit, really manoeuvrable and with good all-round protection - they have really proved their worth.

"We are fighting a strong enemy out here but the job is very rewarding - the highlight of my career".