THREE North Yorkshire cadets joined members of the region’s armed forces to be honoured for their contribution to their communities by one of the oldest merchant guilds in the country.

Angus Gatus, 17 from Acomb, Daniella Recchia, 17 from Malton and Thomas Grieves, 18, from Huntington were each presented with a specially engraved tankard at a ceremony in York’s Merchant Adventurers’ historic guildhall in Fossgate last Thursday.

Also recognised were an officer cadet, a reservist and four regular servicemen – all from the Yorkshire and The Humber region.

Governor of the Company of Merchant Adventurers Timothy Marks said: “I am delighted to pay tribute to the contribution made to communities across Yorkshire and The Humber by these outstanding cadets and members of the armed forces.

“They have been nominated for the award because they have all shown commitment and service above and beyond what is expected of them and are deserving of special recognition.

“It is important that organisations like ours demonstrate support for the work and values of both the cadet and armed forces and express our gratitude for what they do on our behalf.”

The Tankard Awards recognises all three services – the Royal Navy, the British Army and the Royal Air Force - as well as cadet forces from the region.

Award winners were given a tour of the 660-year-old home of York’s entrepreneurs which is one of the finest medieval guild halls in the world.

Chief executive of the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association for Yorkshire and The Humber, which supports cadets and reservists in the region, Jason Wright, said: “We are delighted that the Company of Merchant Adventurers have chosen to honour our cadets and members of the region’s armed forces in this way tonight.

“It recognises the exceptional service that these individuals provide to their communities, our region and our nation.”