THE snow will go on for two Blackburn soldiers after taking part in the Army Snowboard Championships in Austria.

Corporal Denise Swift and Sapper Andy Taylor, both aged 24, took part in the championships - codename Exercise Snow Jack - on the Stubai Glacier.

Now Denise, who is serving with 7 Signal Regiment, Royal Signals, has set her sights on breaking in to the Army Female Team while rookie boarder Andy is hoping for bigger and better things.

"I started snowboarding two years ago when a friend sent me joining instructions for the Corps Championships," said Denise who is currently based in Germany. "I'd never been on a board before but I competed in the 2005 event and came second.

"This year we have just finished the Royal Signals competition and I got first female place. Now I hope to get placed in the army championships.

"We get a lot of support from our unit and the army, sport and fitness is encouraged so we have time off for the championships plus help with costs for transport and lift passes and a grant from the sports lottery.

"My aim now is to get in the Army Female Team and take part at the inter services event next February."

Newcomer Andy, who is a member of 25 Engineer Regiment, Royal Engineers, who is based in Waterbeach, Cambridge, was delighted with his debut on the slopes.

"This is my first season snowboarding but so far I'm enjoying it," said the former Our Lady and St John High School pupil. "I've never done anything like it before. It had always appealed to me but I never thought I'd be able to do it and then I joined the army and there was the opportunity.

"Because sport and fitness is encouraged, they give all sorts of help for something like this. Without it I would never be able to take part.

"Now what I want to do is come back again and over the seasons build up experience and skill so I can compete at a senior level. I've not long finished my basic army training so I'm lucky to have this opportunity."

The Army Snowboarding Championships were launched in 1998 and the event has grown in strength with support particularly from young soldiers who enjoy the physical and mental challenge of extreme sport. It is also the fastest growing in the army. Run on the same lines as the Olympics, the competition has giant slalom, boarder-cross and freestyle events for the different levels, novice, juniors, seniors and veterans.