TORRENTIAL showers failed to dampen the spirits at Britannia Royal Navy College, as families and friends from around the world gathered to watch the latest group of officer cadets at their passing parade.

With the sun initially shining, some 77 officers marched on to the Dart­mouth college's historic parade ground at the completion of their initial training.

While 60 are destined for careers as Royal Navy officers, including 14 promoted from the ranks, 17 of the cadets were from overseas navies.

A total of 12 international countries were represented on the parade ground, including Bahrain, Ghana and Senegal.

Guest of honour was Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach, Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, who was invited to inspect the officers on parade as the rain started to fall. He also presented prizes to the top cadets.

The commanding officer of BRNC, Captain Henry Duffy, said: 'These young men and women have, I think, passed through the finest naval college in the world and achieved the highest standards.

'Over the last 30 weeks we have challenged the cadets both physically and mentally. The international dimension is really important because life is international and the cadets commissioning will undoubtedly have the opportunity to work with the people they've trained with in the future. These young officers now have a wonderful and exciting journey ahead of them.'

Among the latest cadets to complete training was Midshipman Joe Adams from Leighton Buzzard. The 26-year-old said: 'Training at BRNC has been an incredible experience and one which has taught me many lessons. Despite it being demanding both physically and mentally I can look back with good memories and with a great amount of pride.

'My greatest memories will be the friends that I've made at the college, who are already best friends. Taking them from here, as well as a career, is a bonus that I just didn't expect. Although I am now commissioned the training does not stop just yet.

'Over the course of the next year, I will be spending time between Dart­mouth and Portsmouth as I train towards the ultimate role as mine clearance diving officer.

'The training is notoriously tough, with a huge emphasis on the physical training.

'However, I'm looking forward to it and the new challenges ahead.'

Most of the cadets passing out on on Thursday last week joined the Royal Navy in February. They spent the final nine weeks of the course on board the helicopter carrier HMS Ocean, which was operating as part of the Royal Navy's Cougar 14 deployment in the Mediterranean.

The annual exercise allows the UK's Response Force Task Group, which is designed to be deployed in emergency situations thousands of miles from home, to practise its skills.