A British Army mascot has little to be sheepish about after being promoted - for good behaviour.
Private Derby XXX - who happens to be a ram - is the regimental totem of the 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment.
After eight years serving, he was promoted to Lance Corporal in a special ceremony.
The ram was presented with his single stripe as the army unit celebrated its formation day at Dale Barracks in Chester yesterday.
He is the 30th in a line of mascot rams running back to the Indian Mutiny War in the mid-19th Century.
Lance Corporal Derby XXX joined the regiment in February 2014.
His career has seen him switching on the Christmas lights in Ashbourne and meeting Prince William.
He has his own army number, gets paid to buy his rations and gets holiday leave during mating season.
Throughout the ceremony, the ram was flanked by Ram Major Corporal Philip Thornton, from Mansfield, and Private Stuart McLean of Denton, Manchester.
Commanding officer Lt Col Ben Wilde said: "This is the latest in a long line of Derbys to have served as our regimental mascot.
"Not all of them are as well behaved as our newest was today - he is well deserving of his promotion."
