A LEADING Naval nurse from Worcestershire who started snowboarding less than a month ago is taking part in a prestigious competition.

Twenty-four-year-old Jenny Aplin, from Upton-upon-Severn, is a nurse with the Royal Navy Queen Alexandra's Nursing Service and is a member of the Haslar military hospital team, which is taking part in the national Army Snowboarding Championships.

"I started snowboarding less than a month ago in preparation for the championships, so I'm very much the newcomer," she said.

"I've been skiing which I love and when the opportunity came to learn snowboarding I jumped at the chance.

"We are encouraged in all types of sport and adventure. Also we get time off to take part plus help with funding.

"I'm very pleased with the way things have gone. It's very different to skiing but great fun and I definitely want to continue it."

Chairman of The Army Snowboarding Association, Maj Gen Graeme Lamb, said: "The competitors here have fun and the army benefits from this because the sport requires you to be fit and think fast, qualities young soldiers have and develop on the slopes."

Even though Jenny is in the Navy, she was allowed to take part in the Army-run event as it was open to medics working in all of the forces.

Jenny is one of 100 competitors who made it through the qualifying events to take part in the championships.

The best will go on to the Inter Service competition.

The former Hanley Castle High School pupil worked as a health care assistant and student nurse before joining the Navy two years ago.

And snowboarding is not the only action Jenny has seen.

She served on board a hospital ship during the Iraq conflict and was responsible for caring for Iraqi prisoners of war.

The championships, which are in their eighth year, are being held at the Stubai Glacier, one of Austria's top ski resorts.