IT WAS a crushing blow for Bradford teenager Harley-Joe Steele when his dream of joining the Royal Navy was shattered because he wears braces on his teeth.

It is understandable that our Armed Forces have stringent medical standards in place, of course, but that is not the issue here.

The problem is that Harley-Joe has worn the braces for a year and has attended four different interviews and tests while wearing them over the past six months, with no indication that they would be a problem.

It seems cruel to dash a young man’s dreams of serving his country, especially as he has been involved in the recruitment process for so many months.

Surely it would have been better to tell him from the outset that he would not be eligible for service while wearing the braces so he could have prepared himself and made alternative arrangements until his dental treatment is complete.

As it is, Harley-Joe has already left school in anticipation of starting his training as a weapons engineer and is now in limbo until his braces come off and he can re-apply.

It is also something of a mystery as to why wearing braces precludes him from starting his training. Presumably the Navy has its reasons but it is difficult to see what problems they could cause.

Perhaps the armed forces need to take a closer look at their policies when a keen young man who wishes to serve Queen and country is knocked back at the eleventh hour for what seems such a trifling matter. Hopefully Harley-Joe’s passion to serve will not be too dented by this setback.