TROOPS from Blackburn have marched to victory to win the Territorial Army's annual drill competition.

Every year members of the local TA force-- the Lancastrian and Cumbrian volunteers (LCV) -- get together to parade at the Fulwood Barracks in Preston.

During the competition, to help keep the volunteer troops well-trained, the four companies of the LCV march around the barracks parade ground and are inspected by the Commanding Officer.

And B (Somme) Company, based in Moss Street, Blackburn, impressed the judges, including Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel David Sanderson.

Lieutenant Colonel Sanderson said: "The standard of the drill teams was exceptionally high this year."

B Company was led by Company Sergeant Major Lydiate, a veteran of Bosnia.

He said: "I have done the All Arms Drill Instructor Course so I know what I am doing.

"It's fine if you have a good team -- which I had of course. We all enjoyed the competition, it was just a shame about the weather. It was raining hard when we marched onto the square."