Commander Sacha Brooks RNR, the Commanding Officer of HMS Sherwood, Nottingham, said: “We are excited to be using our social ...

Mr Shapps, however, said the “Royal Marines are absolutely essential”. “I have asked the First Sea Lord to provide a plan for how their excellent work is taken forward,” he said.

Likewise members of the Royal Marines Reserve Scotland completed the 56-mile trek around Fife in a repeat of the famous yomp completed by 45 Commando before the assault on the Two Sisters in 1982.