HMS Neptune Showcase Field Gun Skills

A Royal Navy field gun crew from HMS Neptune at Faslane in Scotland have given the competition a glimpse of what to expect with a display to residents in Helensburgh.

A public training session for the physically demanding event was first held last year and drew hundred of spectators.

"It's a great opportunuty for the locals to see us take a very large and very heavy gun across this track and back again, firing off the shells"

The 18-strong HMS Neptune team are preparing for the annual competition at HMS Collingwood in Hampshire where dozens of Field Gun crews will meet to determine the best in the country.

The origins of the event stretch back to 1899 and the Second Boer War, when guns were manhandled by the Naval Brigade over miles of rugged terrain to help the Army. Public displays began in London in 1900.

The HMS Neptune Field Gun team will represent Scotland in the competition at HMS Collingwood from May 27 to June 4.