STUDENT William Oliver is preparing to take his place beside the County Durham Lord Lieutenant to welcome the Queen to the North-East.
The 17-year-old from South Stanley has been bestowed with the highest honour an army cadet can get - Lord Lieutenant's Cadet.
The appointment means he will join Sir Paul Nicholson in greeting the Queen when she visits the county in May.
Four years of hard work with the Durham Army Cadet Force, a voluntary organisation for youngsters aged 13 to 18, saw William nominated for outstanding service.
Following an interview at a master cadet course in Surrey, he beat off six other candidates to land the new title.
William, a student at New College Durham, said: "This means I get to accompany the Lord Lieutenant at prestigious events. My parents are really proud of me."
Based on military training, cadets take part in a range of activities from first aid and shooting to map reading and hill walking.
l Stanley detachment of the cadet force are looking for new recruits and can be contacted at their base in High Street, Stanley, opposite the ambulance station.
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