A newly graduated soldier from Barnet has been given a top award at his passing out parade last Saturday.

Adam Cook, 23 who grew up on Wells Road, was awarded the Soldier’s Soldier award after fellow soldiers in the platoon put his name forward for best recruit.

Adam received the award in front of family and friends at his pass out parade in Catterick on August 28. He now aims to go up in the ranks to become Platoon Sergeant.

His mother Carole, who now lives in Essex said she is “extremely proud.”

She said: “He worked very hard. It’s all he ever thinks about."

Adam is now enjoying a period of leave before joining his new unit the 2nd Battalion the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment in Cyprus.

He has been praised for “his selfless commitment” by his platoon commander Lieutenant John Snoddon, who also called the award “well deserved.”

Adam said: “I was only ever interested in joining the British Army, the best army in the world. Even though the course at Catterick is tough, I’ve managed to keep up my own morale as well as that of my mates in the platoon.

"You manage to do things that you would never dream of doing when you’re a civilian, like running eight miles with a huge pack on your back, but you find a way to do it. So it’s an achievement just getting through the course, but if I was thinking about winning an award, this would be the one I would choose.”