A 16-YEAR-OLD from Chelmsford has been named the first Navy Board Cadet for the London area.

Vikki Gallagher, a member of Chelmsford Sea Cadet Unit, is one of only six young people in the country to receive the honour.

The young salt lives locally and studies at Colchester Sixth Form College. But her new status took her further afield recently, when she and her five board cadet comrades went to the rededication of famous aircraft carrier, HMS Ark Royal.

The ceremony was held in Portsmouth and was attended by, among others, the First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Sir Jonathon Band KCB ADC.

The position of Navy Board Cadet is newly created by the Ministry of Defence. Vikki and the other five candidates were chosen from the 13,000-strong Sea Cadet force that operates throughout the UK.

She received the prestigious award in recognition of the outstanding example she has set in the London area's Sea Cadet Corps.

Throughout her year in the role, Vikki will accompany members of the Navy Board and other high-ranking Royal Marines and Royal Navy officers to ceremonial occasions around London.

During these events, she will also brief the senior officers on issues currently of importance to the Sea Cadet Corps.

Commander Neville Gaunt RN, who is the director of training policy and plans for the Sea Cadets, said: "Since the concept of Navy Board Cadets is a brand new one, there will be much ground-breaking work for Vikki to do.

"She has an outstanding record in the Sea Cadet Corps and I have every confidence that she will represent the organisation at its very best in her dealings with some extremely influential people."

Vikki hopes to join the Royal Navy once she has finished her studies.