A Royal Marine from Bradford is braving Arctic temperatures of almost minus 30 degrees to prepare for combat in Afghanistan.

Daniel Murphy, 26, is one of hundreds of soldiers with 3 Commando Brigade being taught extreme cold weather survival skills in up to six feet of snow during training in northern Norway in a programme known as Lupus II.

The marines are learning to ski, make shelters and use weapons on a ten-week programme headed by 45 Commando based in Arbroath, Angus.

Daniel, who has spent a year with 45 Commando, and is in Norway for the first time, said he had to convince his friends he was not just going skiing for a few weeks.

He added: “I don’t think they understood the extremes of this place.

“They are more worried about me going on an operational tour and for them this is just us playing around.

“But even I didn’t realise just how cold it would get over here.”