Ex-England rugby star Mike Tindall gets taste of military life as he backs range safety campaign

Former England rugby union captain Mike Tindall has joined a Ministry of Defence safety initiative by experiencing a day in the life of the Armed Forces.

The 'Respect the Range' campaign aims to educate the public on how to stay safe while accessing military land.

On top of a Warrior vehicle, the former England star learned about the life-threatening risks associated with accessing military training areas and how the public can take simple actions to stay safe.

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More than two-thirds of the 240,000 hectares of land owned by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) is held solely for the purpose of training the Armed Forces.

Much of that land is accessible to the public when not in use for active training.

"This place can go from tranquil to treacherous at any point," Lieutenant Colonel Vance Worsley explains in the 'Respect the Range' campaign video.

5 Rifles Warrior Commander Jordan Brown told of a dangerous 'close call' moment when a dog walker was walking their dog off its lead.

He told Mr Tindall the dog ran off, prompting his owner to chase after him straight onto a live firing range.

To ensure the public stay safe and protected while using military land, the MOD is encouraging visitors to:

• Always check training and live firing times before they travel
• Stick to public access paths
• Observe safety information including red flags, fences, signs and by-laws while on military land

"It was a real eye-opener to see first-hand how quickly military land can change from calm to combat, suddenly posing huge safety risks to anyone passing through," Mr Tindall said.

"It's vital that everyone – from locals to holidaymakers – visiting these sites know how and when to access military land safely.

"I know now that it involves much more than simply closing a gate behind us, and we must follow the public safety advice to enjoy these spots of natural beauty harm-free," he added.

Ahead of the Easter holidays, the MOD is encouraging members of the public to stay safe while enjoying their time on military-owned land.