A TEENAGE student has earned the title of St John Ambulance national cadet of the year for 2001.

Anna Harrison, 16, from Bedale, North Yorkshire, has exceeded her own expectations with success at local, regional and national level.

At the national final, in Oxford, Anna, a student at Darlington's Queen Elizabeth Sixth-Form College, beat 41 other candidates from all over the country.

Anna joined St John Ambulance nine years ago and is a member of the Thirsk and Northallerton division, regularly attending events such as the North Yorkshire Show, helping to administer first aid.

Following her award, she will attend official events including meeting the Princess Royal at Buckingham Palace in March. As part of the award, she received a trophy, a gold uniform braid and a mountain bike.

Her father and brother are also members of St John Ambulance, and now Anna hopes to follow a career in medicine, hopefully as a paediatrician.

As well as studying A-levels in biology, chemistry, maths, psychology and general studies, she is also doing a deaf awareness course.

She said of her award: "I can't believe it. I'm so shocked but pleased and am really looking forward to the year ahead."