Updated: Original sentence was 7 years, not 8.

The historic day was marked at a land power demonstration on Salisbury Plain, involving some of the first women to join the Royal Armoured Corps.

Mr Williamson announced that as of today, women already serving in the Army are able to transfer into infantry roles. Those not currently serving will be able to apply for infantry roles in December of this year, with new recruits starting basic training in April 2019.

The Defence Secretary also confirmed that women are now able to apply to join the Royal Marines, with selection starting before the end of this year. Training courses will begin at Royal Marines Commando training centre in Lympstone in early 2019.

Speaking at the demonstration event, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson praised the day as a defining moment in the history of the armed forces.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said:

Women have led the way with exemplary service in the armed forces for over 100 years, working in a variety of specialist and vital roles.

So I am delighted that from today, for the first time in its history, our armed forces will be determined by ability alone and not gender.

Opening all combat roles to women will not only make the armed forces a more modern employer but will ensure we recruit the right person for the right role.

While women have for many years given exemplary service, including in combat facing roles, females were unable to serve in ground close combat roles until the ban was lifted by the then Prime Minister in 2016.

The Royal Armoured Corps was the first ground close combat branch to open its doors (in November 2016) to female soldiers and officers, followed by the RAF Regiment in September 2017.

Since November 2016 the Army has around 35 women either serving or being trained to join the Royal Armoured Corps, with a number of personnel already being deployed in their new role to Estonia and Oman.

While the military does not necessarily expect large numbers of women to apply for ground close combat roles, the changes are aimed at creating opportunities for individuals from all backgrounds and making the most of their talents. By making all branches and trades of the military open to everyone, regardless of their gender, the armed forces are building on their reputation of being a leading equal opportunities employer.

Highways England, Country Land and Business Association (CLA) and The Deer Initiative have joined forces to warn motorists about the heightened risk of deer-vehicle collisions this autumn.

We urge drivers to be more aware during this time of year and take note of the following advice:

1. When you see deer warning signs or are travelling through a heavily wooded or forested stretch of road, check your speed and stay alert
2. If your headlights are on, use full-beams when you can, but dip them if you see deer as they may ‘freeze’
3. More deer may follow the first one you see, so keep vigilant
4. Be prepared to stop. Try not to suddenly swerve to avoid a deer. Hitting oncoming traffic or another obstacle could be even worse
5. If you have to stop, use your hazard warning lights

Around two million deer are currently living wild in the UK. October through to December is considered a high-risk period as deer will be on the move for the autumn mating season, also known as the rut. The highest risk of a deer-vehicle collision occurring is said to be between sunset and midnight, and the hours shortly before and after sunrise. Across the UK it is estimated that there could be up to 74,000 deer-related motor vehicle accidents this year alone, resulting in 400 to 700 human injuries and 20 deaths.

Richard Leonard, Head of Road Safety at Highways England, said:

We want everyone to reach their destination safely and without incident.

The one time you might experience a close encounter with a deer is when you are behind the wheel, especially during the rutting season when their increased activity could bring them out onto the roads. Our advice to drivers is to stay vigilant, especially during dawn and dusk when the deer are more mobile, which coincides with the morning and evening rush hour. Slowing down will give you more time to brake if an animal darts out into the road without warning.

Deer warning signs are placed in areas where deer are most active and road crossings are frequent. It might be a route you travel on regularly or a road you know well but wildlife behaviour can be unpredictable. Deer often travel in groups so if you’ve seen one and avoided it, one or two more could follow it.

The CLA represents farmers, landowners and rural businesses across England and Wales.

CLA Regional Surveyor Tim Woodward said:

As the clocks go back, motorists should be alert to the risk of deer running in front of vehicles which can happen with little or no warning.

A collision with a deer can happen at any time of year but the darker evenings in the autumn increase the risk of the animals unexpectedly crossing roads and running straight into the line of oncoming traffic.

Not only is this an animal welfare issue, but considerable damage can be done to a vehicle if it collides with an animal as large as a deer, and there is the risk that driver and passengers could be injured, too.

Remembering how to react when you see deer can reduce the risk of a potentially life threatening accident.

If you see an injured deer on the roadside

Pull over at the next safe place

Call the Police. They will deal with road safety issues and have access to a specialist who will know the best course of action for the animal if it is alive

If you hit a deer while driving

Your priorities, in this order, are:

• keep yourself and anyone with you as safe as you can
• park your car in the safest place with hazard lights on. Consider using it to also warn other road users
• call an ambulance if human injuries warrant it
• call the police

Remember

Don’t approach live deer. They may hurt you, or run across traffic causing another accident.

If you are involved in a deer vehicle collision and need help please contact the police.

If you need to report a deer-vehicle collision or to seek safety information, the Deer Aware website gives basic advice on how to avoid a collision. It also collects data on the number of accidents and its research is the only national effort to collect data that could be used to save lives – the information you submit is an essential part of this important effort.

General enquiries

Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.

Media enquiries

Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer