Villagers surprised by large convoy preparing for huge Nato military exercise

A massive convoy of Foxhounds, Jackals and Land Rovers has surprised villagers in the East Midlands.

The troops from 2nd Battalion the Royal Anglian Regiment were practising their immediate response to a Nato Very High Readiness Joint Task Force call-out.

The 500 soldiers and their 162 vehicles are preparing to take part in Exercise Steadfast Defender, Nato's largest exercise since the Cold War.

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The light mechanised infantry battalion, known as "the Poachers", operated under the spearhead force Nato's Very High Readiness Joint Task Force.

The soldiers will begin with Exercise Polish Dragon – one of the 11 exercises that are taking place in Poland.

Ex Steadfast Defender is due to start in February and will travel through the entire Trans-Atlantic region.

It's a show of force, strength and unity of Nato allies following Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine.