Fifteen soldiers are facing dismissal from the Army after failing drugs tests.

The troops, who are all members of the Light Dragoons, based in Swanton Morley, Norfolk, underwent checks before Christmas,

About 500 soldiers at the barracks are believed to have been tested as part of the Army's on-going drugs monitoring programme.

The ranks and names of those involved have not been disclosed.

Details of the drugs have also not been released, although they are thought to have included cannabis and ecstasy.

'Very serious'

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said drug use was "unacceptable" in the Army.

"People found to have been taking drugs are normally removed from the service," he added.

"Usually a whole battalion or regiment is tested. But even if we find one positive test that is a very serious matter.

"The dismissal procedures for those who tested positive will either be taking place or will take place in the near future."

The Light Dragoons were formed in December 1992 as an amalgamation of the 13th/18th Royal Hussars and the 15th/19th King's Royal Hussars.

They have served in Northern Ireland and in the former Yugoslavia, initially as part of the UN peacekeeping mission and more recently as part of Nato forces.