Shabby living quarters at Dalton Barracks nicknamed “The Pits” by soldiers have been given a £1.82m makeover.

Lieutenant General Mark Mans visited the Abingdon barracks to tour Block 10, which has been upgraded after becoming infamous among Royal Logistic Corps soldiers.

By April, the quarters of 250 soldiers will be improved at a cost of £8,000 per bed space.

The upgrade is being paid for to improve living quarters for the next four years, before the launch of the MoD’s Single Living Accommodation Programme in Abingdon.

The £1bn programme will see current quarters demolished and rebuilt to provide entirely new accommodation, extra space and new facilities.

Camp commander Colonel David Kelly said. “People on camp are feeling better about themselves as a result of these improvements. It really is sending out a positive message for our troops.”