THEY'RE in the Army now - or at least for the day.

Pupils were given a taste of military life in a bid to develop their team-leading skills.

For the past week pupils at Risca Comprehensive School have left the textbooks behind and have been learning life skills.

Working with Careers Wales, the school has used extra-curricular activities to develop different skills in pupils.

Yesterday the Army visited the school to put some of the pupils through their paces.

Sergeant Jason Humphryson, who works in the Armed Forces Career office in Cardiff, said the activities were all about personal development for the pupils.

He said: "We have been working with the pupils on leadership, command and physical activities.

"The pupils are having to work to get from A to B with kit and get their team across challenges and set situations.

"It is about confidence and the boost to the confidence that it gives and it is also a change from the normal routine."

Members of the Royal Regiment of Wales and the Royal Welch Fusiliers were at the school.

Lance Corporal Andrew Tanner, from the Royal Welch Fusiliers, was working with pupils on the tasks. He said: "It gets the pupils out of the classroom and gets them to use their mind and body at the same time and gives them good skills for life and the future."

Phillip Diamond, from Careers Wales, said the activities help develop problem solving skills, teamwork, communication and other important life skills.

During the week pupils have faced challenges including bridge building and other construction teamwork challenges.