A ROYAL Navy weatherwoman from Crewkerne has deployed to Sierra Leone on the UK military operation to combat the spread of ebola.

Acting Leading Hand Jennifer Russell, above, is on aviation support ship RFA Argus bound for the West African country to join teams of medics, engineers and specialists.

The 22-year-old said: “When I told my family and friends I was going to Sierra Leone nobody was worried about ebola – everyone was just immensely proud.

“I feel like we’re going to West Africa to carry out a really important role.”