A CADET group has been given a Royal award for its service to the community.

Sussex Army Cadet Force has been awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest accolade possible for volunteer groups.

Commandant Colonel David Steele said the Royal gong was a “wonderful acknowledgement” of the force’s 194 volunteers.

“This is a wonderful acknowledgement of the hard work, professionalism and dedication of the adult volunteers of Sussex ACF by providing unique life-skills training and challenging activities for young people throughout Sussex,” he said.