CADETS and armed forces personnel from York and Selby have been recognised for their contribution to society at a special ceremony in one of York’s historic buildings.

The ceremony, which was held at the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall in the city, saw four personnel from York and Selby receive specially-engraved tankards, for their services and community work.

The Tankard Awards were originally created in the 1980s to honour the sailors of HMS York, but expanded 14 years ago to honour all three services in the armed and cadet forces.

Able Cadet Bryony Cox, 16, of York Sea Cadets, was one of the last cadets in the country to sail on HMS York on her final voyage to Hull before being decommissioned last year.

Bryony, from Acomb, who attends All Saints’ RC School, said: “I was so surprised when I heard I was going to be given this award by the Merchant Adventurers’. It’s a great honour and alongside sailing in HMS York for the last time, it’s certainly one of the highlights of my whole cadet career.”

Other York-based recipients of tankards included Cadet Sgt Katie Trotter, 16, from City of York Squadron Air Training Corps, and two RAF servicemen from RAF Linton-on-Ouse, Acting Cpl Chris Scotting and Flight Lt Calum Law. All were nominated by their commanding officers for outstanding contributions, and commitment and dedication above and beyond the call of duty.

The four remaining recipients were Cadet Lance Cpl Callum Musson, 15, of Woodlesford ACF; Cpl Damien O’Neill from Selby, of 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment; Pte Jack Healey, from 4th Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment; and Midshipman Catherine Bernard, of Yorkshire Universities Royal Naval Unit.