A Camborne army cadet sergeant has been promoted for her work leading the same cadet unit she was once a member of.

Kelly Tonkin has been recognised for her tireless efforts in organising fun and safe training sessions from shooting and military knowledge to first aid and expedition training.

She has moved up the ranks from Sergeant Instructor to Colour Sergeant after three years of service.

As part of her work Kelly, who is a volunteer, also encourages cadets aged 12 to 18 to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award and to take the BTEC qualification in public service.

The Camborne cadets group, which meets on Monday nights at 7pm at the old Territorial Army Centre on North Roskear Road, has seen attendance rise from 14 to over 30 cadets during Kelly’s time as Sergeant Instructor.

In recognition of her hard work over the years Kelly was promoted by Captain Demelza Stevenson, training officer for Gibraltar Company of the Cornwall Army Cadet Force, in a ceremony in front of 25 cadets.

Kelly said: “I have such great memories of my time as a cadet at Camborne that I think it’s great to help the present cadets get as much out of the organisation as I did back then.”

Anyone is interested in helping Colour Sergeant Tonkin run the group for young people in Camborne can go along to the meetings that take place at 7pm every Monday, or register interest at www.armycadets.com.