TWO former Cirencester schoolgirls, Claire Nixon and Claire Webster, have been selected to represent the RAF ski team.

Nixon, who attended Deer Park, and Webster, who went to Kingshill, have recently returned from a training camp in Corralco, Chile where they trained alongside the German national ski team in preparation for the Interservices Ski Championships, an event that will see the army, navy and RAF teams take to the World Cup course in Meribel, France.

Flight Lieutenant Nixon is the ladies' team captain and her day job is a training officer based at RAF Odiham in Hampshire, while Squadron Leader Webster is a surgeon currently working in London.

"The military promotes sport and adventurous training in its members, as it encourages physical fitness, teamwork and mental courage, essential for service life," said Claire Nixon.

"As the ladies' team captain, I have faced leadership challenges which have made me reflect on and improve my management style.

The RAF ski team are supported by the RAF Charitable Trust who are based near Fairford and provide charitable grants for flying scholarships, sporting opportunities and more.

Webster said: "We are incredibly grateful for the support we receive from the trust and we could not train effectively without them.

"They do an incredible job supporting many young talents and are an integral member of the RAF family."