The first woman soldier to complete the Paras' gruelling P Company test has been hailed as a "trailblazer" by the Army.

Women have been invited to take part in the All Arms Pre Parachute Selection (AAPPS) course since the 1990s.

But Captain Rosie Wild, 28, has become the first woman to pass the test.

The five-day test is one of the most famous in military training world-wide and has to be passed by all recruits to the Parachute Regiment and related Army units.

It saw Cpt Wild take on eight different elements which inlcude a 20 mile march while carrying a 16kg pack and rifle which must be completed under four hours and ten minutes.

She also faced the Trainasium, a 17m high assault course.

Candidates must also take part in "milling", a 60-second boxing match which allows only attack and no defensive moves.

Brigadier John Clark, commander of 16 Air Assault Brigade based at Merville Barracks, said: "Congratulations to Captain Rosie Wild, who has just become the first woman to pass the All Arms Pre Parachute Selection (AAPPS).

"Women have been invited to undertake the gruelling P Company course since the mid-1990s, several have attempted but Captain Wild is the first to pass.

"She is a trailblazer and we hope that her achievement will encourage other women to have a go.

"A more representative force will only make us stronger.

"Cpt Wild is now keen to get on with joining her next regiment in a new role supporting the British Army's Air Assault Task Force."

The Army said that Cpt Wild will not be joining the Parachute Regiment but will be serving alongside the Paras in 7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery based in Colchester.

It said the AAPPS course for non-Parachute Regiment recruits includes the same eight challenges and run by the same staff.

Cpt Wild received the Sword of Honour when she graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in December 2016, receiving the accolade from the Duchess of Cornwall.