MEMBERS of the Armed Forces have returned to Lyneham for the first time since 2012.

Three years since the closure of RAF Lyneham, the Defence School of Electronic and Mechanical Engineering (DSEME), part of the Defence College of Technical Training, has moved in.

The first members of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), previously based in Arborfield and Bordon, have begun training at the site, 70 per cent of which is newly built following a £121m investment.

Around 1,500 students will be able to enjoy the new facilities which include catering services, coffee shops, a convenience store, a hairdresser, Garrison church, several gyms and sports pitches.

The students will be studying alongside 210 military, 79 civil service and 329 Babcock, a British engineering and support services company, employees.

The new intake will be trained in a number of trade disciplines including vehicle mechanics, armourers, metalsmiths, recovery mechanics, technical support specialists and technical electricians.

David Cowan, training programme contract director from Babcock, expects the students to receive the best training courses not only from military and Babcock personnel but also from partnering with companies outside of the military.

More than 80 members of the public attended a welcome event at Lyneham Primary School last Wednesday to hear from the new Head of Establishment, Colonel Mike Pendlington and other senior members of staff.

Lt Col Andy Teare, chief of staff at DSEME, said: "It was encouraging to see so many people from the local community contributing to the evening."

Colonel Pendlington spoke about the history of the Corps of the REME and how his role as Commandant of DSEME fits in as part of the wider tri-service Defence College of Technical Training (DCTT).

Developments in and around MoD Lyneham are still ongoing with a new community centre, outside the front gates, to be used by military families and the wider community due to open soon.

A REME Museum of Technology, located to the left of the entrance to MoD Lyneham, is due to open in October 2016 with educational suites for adults and children, a research and study centre plus half term and summer activity programmes.