A FORMER Wyvern Community School pupil has been stranded in the middle of a vicious hurricane which has hit the Caribbean island he is staying on.

A FORMER Wyvern Community School pupil has been stranded in the middle of a vicious hurricane which has hit the Caribbean island he is staying on.

Guardsman Ben Middleton, from Weston, has been taking six weeks out from his normal duties to complete a gruelling training exercise in the Jamaican jungle.

The 20-year-old, who joined the army in 2006, was due to fly home this week but Hurricane Dean has left him stranded on the Caribbean island.

Jamaica took a battering and was hit by severe winds and heavy rain on Monday.

The storm was said to be reaching winds of up to 145mph in the country before heading towards the Cayman Islands and Mexico.

All 60 soldiers on the Jamaican exercise are now stationed at the British High Commission, in Kingston, and are on standby to assist with relief efforts.

They are currently setting up a generator to restore power in places and have been clearing debris in the area.

The soldier, whose mum, Louise Wilson, lives in Weston, is waiting to hear some news about when he can fly back to the UK.

If you got caught up in Hurricane Dean this week email the Weston & Somerset Mercury at newsdesk@thewestonmercury.co.uk