A MARINE engineer from Plymouth is playing a vital role in maintaining the Royal Navy's presence in the Falkland Islands.

Chief Petty Officer Rachel Virdee (right), is the outboard motors maintainer within a small team of Royal Navy personnel based 8,500 miles away in windswept East Cove on West Falkland.

The 40-year-old's role is to help provide permanent support to Royal Navy ships operating in the South Atlantic.

Rachel, who attended Ivybridge Community College and has been in the Royal Navy for 18 years, said: "It's a remote posting but a very demanding role so it takes your mind off being so far away from home.

"It's also a very beautiful environment and we are a close-knit group, all of which helps make this deployment an interesting one."

The team forms part of the Joint Maritime Support Squadron, ensuring that ships get the vital support needed to maintain them when they are enduring the rigours of this demanding environment.