A YOUNG Balloch woman is at the heart of the latest warships currently being built on the Clyde.

Apprentice Lauren McNeill has enjoyed a lead role in making sure Royal Navy sailors can get a good night’s kip while at sea.

The 19-year-old has been part of the cabin team, designing accommodation quarters for Type 26 frigates.

HMS Glasgow is currently in construction and work began on a second Type 26, HMS Cardiff, at BAE System’s Govan yard last week after Minister for Defence Procurement, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, cut the first steel for the latest ship.

Click here for all the latest news in Dumbarton and the Vale

Lauren said: “I was always interested in the STEM subjects at school and applied for the apprenticeship in fifth year.

“I was involved in the design stage and the buying and then the construction of the cabins. It is a mini project within the bigger ship.”

The cabins which are home to nine sailors are now complete and once approved by the Royal Navy will be the model for what will be used throughout the ships for sleeping quarters.

Lauren added: “It is really good seeing the cabins go from a design on paper to being built.”