SOLDIERS from Wirral have been helping to put the British Army's latest hi-tech body armour through its paces.

They are among members of Chester-based second Batallion The Mercian Regiment who are 'road testing' the Virtus personal protection and load carrying system – armour that increases agility and makes it easier to carry heavy kit.

2 Mercian is among the first battalions to be issued with the armour.

It will be used in the unit's current role as part of the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force; a multi-national quick response body, which can serve as a 'Spearhead' to any threat against NATO.

The personnel spent a week at Sennybridge Training Camp, near Brecon, during difficult weather conditions testing the equipment in an urban combat setting.

Virtus uses the latest materials and offers the same protection as the previous Osprey armour system but is significantly lighter, moves with the body more easily and produces a slimmer profile.

The amount of protection can be scaled up or down by adding or removing pads and plates to match the type of threat.

Among the most radical innovations are a removable face guard, and a weight supporting 'spine' which helps spread the load of the armour and other equipment across the back, shoulders and hips.

Lieutenant Colonel Ben Wilde, commanding officer of 2 MERCIAN, added: "I am delighted with the additional capability that Virtus gives us.

"It offers the same high level of protection we had previously, but is significantly lighter and easier to wear.

"I'll see fewer 'wear and tear' injuries to my soldiers which means we can be out on the ground, doing our job, for longer."