Royal Navy recruit less than 5ft tall

‘STEELY GRIT’ Laura Shann A FORMER garage worker is one of Britain’s shortest servicewomen after joining the Royal Navy.

Laura Shann, 24, is just over 4ft 11in, a fifth of an inch above the minimum height for the military.

Laura’s instructors said her height would make it hard to pass the 12-month aviator course in Cornwall.

After swapping her job as a garage receptionist last year she qualifies as an aircraft handler tomorrow.

She said: “We do firefighting and rescuing casualties, as well as moving aircraft on flight decks.”

Laura, of Sleaford, Lincs, is now thought to be the shortest servicewoman in the British military.

Her trainer Chief Petty Officer John Etherington said: “She’s taken on every challenge with steely grit.”