KENDAL Sea Cadets, who have been perfecting their skills throughout the year in a multitude of specialised areas, were commended on their achievements at an annual awards ceremony.

After careful consideration by staff in the Kendal unit, 20 talented sea cadets were selected to receive awards in different fields and proficiencies within the Sea Cadet Corps training structure.

Presentations were made by the Kendal unit's life president John Crewdson, president and Kendal town mayor Tom Clare, and chairman Captain Peter Lightburn RN Rt'd.

The array of trophies, donated by local firms and individuals, recognised achievements in seamanship, mechanical engineering, PT activities as well as in communications, First Aid, canoeing and a host of other skills.

Helen Turner, the unit's PR officer, explained that the cadets' work during the past 12 months had been considered for the award nominations, including their performances on national courses and during training sessions in Malta.

She added that new recruits also had the chance to prove their worth for the first time this year, with the introduction of the Helen Turner Award for New Entry of the Year.

This recognises how well a young cadet has integrated into the unit, as well as their dress, turnout, team work and success with the new entry syllabus.

"It is a great achievement for the cadets to have been nominated for these awards, and it gives them something to strive for," said Ms Turner.

"But they are all of a very high standard so it was very difficult to choose."

A Christmas greeting was also read out at the ceremony from the crew of HMS Cumberland, Kendal Sea Cadet's adopted ship which is currently based in Dubai.