CADETS in college have been rewarded with surprise rank promotions for their dedication to their team.

Members of Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College’s (QESFC) Combined Cadet Force (CCF) contingent were commended during a special ceremony to honour attainment, attendance and hard work within the initiative.

The cadets, who wear the Royal Corps of Signals cap badge, were presented with rank rises and First Aid certificates by Staff Sergeant Kat Forster and contingent Commander and the college’s CCF organiser, Captain Steve Regan.

Sergeant Martin Hehir, a member of the 4th Infantry Brigade Cadet Training Team, which supports all cadet units in the North-East, was also present during the prize-giving.

Capt Regan said: “Everywhere I have gone, people have commented on how good this unit is and how our cadets are a credit to the college and to the badges they wear.

“As a former cadet myself, I am really proud of everybody.”

QESFC students and CCF members, Lillie Bell, Jessica Dixon and Matthew Dumigan all traded in their rank slides to become Lance Corporals, while Luke Watson and Jack Overfield were promoted to Corporal Loose level.

Poppy Roberts also became Sergeant Roberts in the highest rank promotion within the initiative that was founded in the Darlington college in 2015.

QESFC principal, Tim Fisher, said: “Our CCF started with only a handful of cadets, but has continued to grow and thrive.

“The skills our cadets learn will be carried with them for the rest of their lives, and I thoroughly hope they continue to enjoy the experience.”