Cumbrian soldiers are dodging snakes and braving energy-sapping humidity while training in jungle warfare deep in the rainforests of central America.

The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, which recruits from the county, is taking part in one of the British Army's most demanding missions in Belize.

About 100 troops from the battalion's Blenheim Company have been learning how to survive and fight in temperatures of 30C.

Major Nick Higgins, officer commanding Blenheim Company, said: "This whole exercise is designed to be progressive so we've been giving the soldiers time to get used to the environment.

"They're coping really well.

"We have some good platoon commanders and section commanders and that’s important; they make sure the lads look after their feet and drink enough water."

Some of the toughest training has been in Sibun Gorge.

The location's holiday brochure natural beauty hides a deadly arsenal of snakes, including the giant boa constrictor and the venomous Fer de Lance.

Jungle warfare instructors have been showing the company how to navigate, move through the jungle undetected and strike enemy positions.

Soldiers are working alongside the Belize Defence Force in "Exercise Mayan Warrior".

Major Higgins added: "I can see from the morale of the platoons and how they’re integrating with the instructors and the Belize Defence Force that, although finding it hard, they are enjoying the challenge."

Kingsmen Perry and Jordan Mason are brothers and infantrymen with the 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment.

Jordan, 21, joined the Battalion in April.

He said: "I've only ever been abroad on holiday before, so I was really happy when they told me I was coming to Belize.

"I've been surprised by how humid and sweaty it is, the snakes are a bit worrying, but I’m really enjoying the training."

Perry, 23, has been in the army for two years and last year trained in Kenya.

He said: "It's a steady job but one that I get to see the world with and now my brother's here with me – I didn’t expect that to happen when I joined.

"I’m a radio operator and so I'm always getting its antenna caught in the vegetation, it’s a bit of a nightmare. But the heat and humidity have been the really hard aspect."