A NORTH Hampshire teenager has been selected to represent the county as a Lord Lieutenant's cadet.

Victoria Kyle, 17, from Heath Road, Pamber Heath, who has been a member of Basingstoke and Deane Sea Cadets for six years, was invested at Winchester College on Thursday, November 16.

In her new role, Victoria will escort Mary Fagan, the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, on social functions for the next year.

Victoria, a student at Queen Mary's College in Basingstoke, was nominated for the role by her district officer Lieutenant Commander Richard O'Keith and First Lieutenant Petty Officer Peter Juul.

Victoria, said: "I was very shocked, but pleased to be selected, because I put in a lot of hard work at my unit, so it is nice to have that recognised."

Following her nomination, Victoria competed against other Hampshire cadets by writing a personal statement, sending off her cadet records and getting references from staff at the Harlech Close unit, in Winklebury.

She said: "There are other big cadet units in Hampshire, whereas ours is quite small, so it was great to be chosen.

"If it wasn't for the unit, I would not have had this opportunity. They trusted me and supported me and I would not have been able to do this without them."

During the ceremony, Victoria was presented with a badge and certificate and also met the other three Lord Lieutenant's cadets who represent the air force, the army and the combined cadet force.