Army's South West Commander says Covid-19 work has been a 'privilege'

Soldiers based on Salisbury Plain have been heavily involved in the efforts to tackle coronavirus since the start of the pandemic.

They've been working across the country and the South West's Army Commander says they'll carry on for as long as they needed.

Colonel Neville Holmes has told Greatest Hits Radio they're pleased to be doing their bit:

"I take my hat off to all the professionals who are doing it, so the NHS and others - I'm just in awe of how they've stepped up to the mark. So any little bit we can do to help that is, of course, a huge privilege."

Wiltshire troops have been helping the NHS with things like the rapid testing trials in Liverpool.

They were also called in at the beginning of the crisis to help set up Nightingale hospitals, including the one in Bristol.

Regional testing centres, such as the site at the Beehive park and ride in Salisbury, were also initially launched and manned by soldiers.

Colonel Neville Holmes says the regiments under his watch have enjoyed their deployment of sorts:

"We are just really here to support and we're keen to do anything we possibly can. But I've been hugely heartened and hugely humbled by the welcome (troops) have received and also the opportunity we've had to work together (with the NHS)."

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• army
• covid19
• Soldiers
• wiltshire
• salisbury plain