THE commanding officer of Chepstow's new army regiment will sail into the sunset after his forthcoming departure next week.

Lieutenant Colonel David Brown is stepping down from his post at the First Battalion The Rifles, who moved into Beachley Barracks four months ago.

The officers and soldiers will bid him farewell by running across the old Severn Bridge and back on the morning of Friday, January 25.

Lt Col Brown will then be given a trip in a boat belonging to the Severn Area Rescue Association around the barracks, before "sailing off to pastures new".

The 42-year-old, now in his 24th year of military service, is moving to a new post in Abbey Wood.