Four Army Cadets from Ilminster Platoon wowed judges at this year's regional First Aid competition. The cadets represented the Somerset Army Cadet Force, competing against ten other teams (including the Combined Cadet Force and Air Training Corps) from counties in the South West region.

The competition took place at Tilshead on Salisbury Plain, where the cadets were given casualties to attend to. Cpl Kerri Tucker, Cpl Tom McMeakin, Cdt Charlotte Summers and Cdt Phil Tucker represented Ilminster in gaining this sought-after shield.

Last year's winner was Wiltshire ACF, who came second by one point.

In the individual awards, Cpl McMeakin scored very highly, which he expressed as being "so proud to come joint third out of every cadet present".

Colour Serjeant Amelia Ledingham said "It is a tremendous achievement that after three years of entering the competition, Ilminster were the first team from Somerset to ever win the regional First Aid competition, beating the reigning champions and representing the South West region. I have every faith that we will perform well in the national competition".

This year's competition was particularly stiff, with Somerset also being represented by Priorswood Platoon in Taunton who came fourth, with just four points less than Ilminster.

Brother and sister team Cpl and Cdt Tucker agreed that winning the regional competition is a brilliant achievement. "Although we were all really nervous, we are proud to say that we're going to Sandhurst. None of us actually thought we'd got through."

The cadets' talents don't end at winning this competition: Cpls Tucker and McMeakin have recently passed their LifeSaver Plus award to further their skills, and Cdt Summers put them into practice on a recent school trip. She said "I wasn't expecting to get through to the nationals, but now that I am, I'm really excited".

The national event is taking place at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in October.

First Aid is just one of many exciting subjects which the Army Cadet Force get involved with. If you would like to find out more about joining as a cadet, please call Andrew Horsey on 01823 284486.

From left to right, back to front: Charlotte Summers, Col. Robbie Guest, Tom McMeakin, Phil Tucker and Kerri Tucker.

B-F, L-R: Tom McMeakin, Kerri Tucker, Charlotte Summers and Phil Tucker with the winner's shield.

B-F, L-R: Tom McMeakin, Colour Serjeant Amelia Ledingham, Kerri Tucker, Charlotte Summers and Phil Tucker with the winner's shield.