A RIFLE has gone missing during a Royal Marine training exercise on Dartmoor.

The rifle, confirmed to be unloaded by The Ministry of Defence, which has since launched an investigation into the matter, was lost during a training exercise.

A part of the British family of 5.56×45mm NATO service weapons used by the British Army, the SA80 rifle was misplaced during a leadership course by the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines.

The exercise was stopped and a thorough search of the area was made, but the rifle was not found.

Dartmoor is much frequented by the Royal Marines, who make good use of the landscape for training purposes.