A TEENAGER from Little Sutton battled against the elements and a bout of serious illness to win the coveted green beret of a Royal Marine Commando.

Former Sutton High School pupil Daniel Renshaw successfully completed a gruelling course including tough endurance and assault courses, a speed march and a 30-mile 'yomp' at the commando training centre in Lympstone, Devon to proudly pass out as a member of the Commandos' 842 Troop.

But at one stage last winter his prospects of success took a hard knock when he went down with a bout of pleurisy.

This meant he took an extra eight weeks to complete the 30-week course, which is seen to be the hardest initial training in the world.

The green beret is the distinctive hallmark of commando troops, indicating that those who wear it have demonstrated the attributes of endurance, unselfishness, cheerfulness in the face of adversity, courage, determination and high professional standards.

Daniel prepared for life in the Marines by completing the public services course at West Cheshire College tutored by James McQueen.

After accepting his green beret, Daniel said: 'It has been a fantastic experience for me and I have made some lifelong friends among my fellow Royal Marines.

'The sense of achievement felt by all of us is immense but I know that many more challenges are to come.'

Number 3 Commando Brigade, which Daniel now joins, is a key element of the UK's Joint Rapid Reaction Force which saw action in the recent conflict in Iraq.