THE third generation of a Minehead family has successfully passed out as a Royal Marine Commando - and was officially presented with his green beret by his father at a ceremony in Devon.

Former West Somerset College student Will Ryan, 18, completed 32 weeks of gruelling training to become a Royal Marine Commando.

His highly decorated father Paul - better known as Regimental Sergeant Major 'Buck' Ryan - was on hand to present him with his Marines' green beret at the commando training centre in Lympstone.

Proud mum Sarah and sister Maisie were also on hand to watch the historic occasion.

Will's grandfather Colour Sergeant Bill Ryan was also in the Royal Marines, while his father is currently based at 30 Commando Information Exploitation Group Royal Marines in Plymouth.

Will is following in his father's footsteps, beginning his career with 40 Commando Royal Marines in Taunton.

His first posting will be to the Middle East in a couple of weeks' time with a response force task group.

His father is only too familiar with the challenges of serving in the Marines having put his own life on the line to save others in a helicopter crash while on active service in Afghanistan.

His heroic actions earned him a Mention in Dispatches (MiD) from the Queen in the Armed Forces Operational Honours List in 2011 -

one of just 136 serving military personnel across the country to be honoured.

At the end of 2010, he was also named as the country's 'Most Outstanding Marine' in a national newspaper's annual Military Awards for his part in the same incident - the rescue of four aircrew from a downed Black Hawk helicopter.

Will's mum Sarah, who is the manager of Minehead coffee shop Cream, said the whole family was immensely proud of his achievement: "We wish him all the best for his future as a Royal Marine Commando," she said.