TWO St John Ambulance cadets from west Wiltshire were guests of honour at Buckingham Palace this week.

Rebecca Gray, 16, from Bradford on Avon and 15-year-old Melanie Weston, from Melksham, were invited to go and meet Princess Anne at on Wednesday.

Just before her trip to London Rebecca said: "It is an honour to be invited to this reception and I am looking forward to meeting the Princess Royal."

Rebecca was chosen to tell the Princess about her role as a St John Ambulance cadet after winning the title of Wiltshire County Cadet Of The Year.

Melanie, along with 16-year-old Kayleigh Chard from Stratton St Margaret, successfully completed her Grand Prior Award last year.

The award is the highest recognition cadets can achieve and marks at least three years of studying in subjects including care, life and society skills and emergency skills.

Lorraine Miller of the St John Ambulance said: "We are delighted that Rebecca, Kayleigh and Melanie are representing Wiltshire at Buckingham Palace.

"This rare honour is well deserved by these cadets who have demonstrated a huge amount of commitment to St John."

The youngsters were joined at the palace by about 150 cadets from across the UK, Germany and Cyprus.

St John is the UK's leading first aid, transport and care charity.

To find out more about the organisation and how to join call the county headquarters at Devizes on (01380) 728362 or visit www.sja.org.uk

HONOURED: St John Ambulance cadet Rebecca Gray went to Buckingham Palace