Sea Cadets are celebrating after winning a prestigious award for the first time in 15 years.

The Isle of Man Sea Cadet Corps has been presented with a signed certificate and engraved plaque after it was named the best turned-out unit at the Tynwald Day ceremony last month.

Cadet forces in the UK have taken note and are showing interest in sending representatives to future Tynwald Day ceremonies.

President of Tynwald Steve Rodan made the prize presentation to Sub-Lieutenant Nathan Rogers, representing the Sea Cadet Corps at Legislative Buildings.

At the same ceremony Sergeant Rebecca Stokes, a Royal Air Force air cadet with 440 (1st Manx) Squadron, was presented with a certificate and winner’s shield after being named the best turned-out individual.

Sub-Lieutenant Rogers said: ’We’re all extremely proud to have achieved this honour, the first time for us in 15 years. Over the past four years our numbers have grown considerably from some six cadets and three staff to 41 cadets and 15 staff and, for this year’s ceremony, there were 32 on parade for what is our largest public event of the year.

’We are also delighted our participation in the island’s national day has been noticed not only by the Sea Cadet Corps in the UK, which is looking to set up a competition to select a number of cadets to join us at St John’s, but also by the Royal Marines Cadets, who have expressed an interest in sending a detachment to serve with us at the formal proceedings on Tynwald Day.’

Rebecca, 17, joined 440 Squadron when she was 14, and hopes to pursue a military career. She said: ’I’m so excited and really didn’t expect to win this award. It’s all down to squadron teamwork, though, as we always look out for each other and check that we’re turned out correctly.’

Mr Rodan said: ’The pride and meticulous attention to detail with which military organisations take part in the formal proceedings of Tynwald Day make for unequalled pageantry and a true sense of occasion.’