SCORES of Air Cadets marched through Selby yesterday to celebrate the anniversary of the formation of the group.

About 150 cadets aged between 13 and 20, from 4 Sector, gathered at Selby Abbey to mark 72 years of the Central and East Yorkshire wing of the service.

The cadets, from squadrons in York, Ripon, Harrogate, Knaresborough, Easingwold and RAF Church Fenton, attended a service in the Abbey after the parade, which was led by the band of 110 (City of York) Squadron from Scott Road through the town.

The salute was taken by the Deputy Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Air Commodore Bill Gambold, and the Mayor of Selby, Councillor George Carter.

Squadron Leader Brian Mennell, commander of 4 Sector, said: “ It is really nice to celebrate our 72nd birthday in Selby and in its beautiful Abbey.

“Our nearest squadron is at RAF Church Fenton, but it is likely that not many people in Selby have seen much of us. This is our opportunity to put that right and let everyone see what a smart and well-disciplined set of young people we have in our local air cadet units.”

About 41,000 youths are members of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets, in just under 1,000 squadrons, and the service is on the lookout for new members and volunteers.