A 17-YEAR-OLD has turned his dream into reality and joined the Armed Forces.

Sean Parratt of Jenningham Close, Grays, has wanted to be a soldier since childhood and he has now completed his basic training at The Army training Regiment, Winchester.

Sean, a former William Edwards and Palmers College pupil, also achieved his Marksman qualification. He proudly said: “Walking into the Army careers office back in October last year was the best thing I ever did.”

Sean, whose dad was also in the Army, is now on leave before he goes to The Royal Signals Defence College of communications in Dorset to study as a Communications Technician.