A 21-GUN salute in York tomorrow will mark the Queen's official birthday.

There will be a special turnout of cadets from the North of England to mark the occasion and the award of the Cadet Forces Commission for the first time.

Before the salute, the Deputy Commander of 4th Infantry Brigade, Colonel Andrew Hadfield, from Catterick Garrison, will be joined by Colonel Cadets Chris Tearney and Cadet Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) Harvey Duffield to inspect cadets on parade.

At just 18, Cadet RSM Duffield will become the youngest ever to inspect the troops and band after the gun salute is completed.

The Queen has approved the creation of the Cadet Forces Commission under a Royal Warrant for all cadet force officers, who dedicate a significant portion of their lives to developing young people in Defence-sponsored voluntary youth organisations.

The award of the Cadet Forces Commission will be marked tomorrow by the presence of a selection of officers from the Brigade area, in recognition of the selfless and voluntary work they and their colleagues do.

Head of Cadet Forces, Brigadier Matthew Lowe said: “The Army holds its Cadet Forces in the very highest regard and is proud of the tremendous work they do to develop young people. New commissions are very rare, so it is a mark of Her Majesty’s favour that the dedication of Cadet Force officers is being recognised in this way.

“The award of the Cadet Forces Commission is a rather special moment in which we can all take quiet pride, knowing just how much the nation values the Army’s Cadet Forces and the fantastic work its leaders do.”