FOUR keen sailors recently passed out as 'honorary cadets', after they took part in a training day they won as part of a charity auction for Help for Heroes earlier this year.

Joyce and David Bishop and Pat and Dudley Lean of Weir Quay Sailing Club undertook a full day's training with 2312 squadron Air Training Corps based at Crelake Cadet Centre in Tavistock.

The two couples were given an introduction into today's Royal Air Force by Flt Lt Phil Newcombe.

Following this the squadron drill instructor Flt Sgt Graeme Ross, ably assisted by six cadets, put them through the drill movements so a drill routine could be completed by all after one hour.

Flt Lt John Olver gave a lecture on weapon handling, followed by rifle drills shooting on the squadron's rifle range. After lunch all undertook leadership exercises and abseiling activities on Whitchurch Down, supervised by civilian instructor Paul Johnson.

On return to the squadron, Joyce, Pat, Dave and Dudley were passed out as honorary cadets.

Pat said: 'We really enjoyed this day's activity. We would like to thank the cadets and staff of 2312 squadron for hosting and looking after ourselves.'

Flt Lt Phil Newcombe said: 'Help for Heroes is a very worthy cause for our cadets to be involved in as several ex cadets and local service personnel are now on active service in our armed forces.

'I would also like to say a big thank-you to Julie Marks of Bere Alston for organising the fundraising evening back in March this year.'