LUKE Martin, 15, of Launceston St John Cadets has been awarded St John Ambulance County Cadet of the Year. Luke's ambition is to join the Ambulance Service as a paramedic.

He has been a Cadet with Launceston Division for four years and he has worked really hard to gain this award. All the candidates spent a residential weekend at Buckfastleigh for the final assessments where Luke gained top marks in every assessment.

Tony Taplin, Superintendent, said: "Luke is the first Cadet from Launceston Division to receive this award and we are all very proud of him and he will now go forward to the National Finals in Nottingham early in 2010 and he will take with him the best wishes of all our Division, adults and young people alike. Luke is a great inspiration to all our Cadets and Badgers and it is a privilege to have him in our Division."

Luke's Mum and Dad, Paula and Nigel, are also justifiably very proud of him and they wish him all the very best and hope that he continues within St. John Ambulance and that he can realise his hopes and ambition to become a paramedic. Paula said, "We are 100 per cent behind him and support him all the way."

Luke would just like to thank all the people who have helped and supported him both family at home and his fellow cadets, leaders and officers at Launceston St John Ambulance.