AN air cadet from the 992 Malmesbury Squadron has been awarded one of the highest individual honours a cadet can receive.

Lauren Simms, 17, was overwhelmed this week after receiving the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Flying Excellence Award at a ceremony in London.

The national award was accompanied by a substantial flying bursary this year, generously donated by Lockheed Martin.

This bursary will contribute to developing Lauren’s piloting skills as she continues her journey towards achieving a private pilot’s licence.

Cadet Sergeant Simms, who has attended the Malmesbury Squadron since 2012 and has been the Lord Lieutenant’s ‘Cadet for Wiltshire’ for the past year, said the award came as a “complete surprise”.

“I attended the Air Cadet Pilot Scheme at Tayside Aviation earlier this year, but unfortunately didn’t quite make solo standard, so I thought I wouldn’t be offered any further funding through my cadet career,” she said.

“I was delighted when I heard I’d been nominated and then went on to win the award.

“I feel privileged to have my name added to the trophy and am so grateful as this money should ensure that I can reach solo standard and beyond.”

Lauren, who is studying at Hardenhuish School in Chippenham, where she is head girl, plans to join her local university air squadron (UAS) as she continues her studies and pursues a career in aviation.

“I’ve recently taken more of a mentoring role on the squadron, helping to teach younger cadets the BTEC in Aviation Studies, enabling me to pass on my knowledge and experience of aviation related subjects,” she said.

Staff at Tayside Aviation, which delivers cadet flying training, praised Lauren for her flying ability and approach to flying training as well as her leadership qualities, which they said set the benchmark for other cadets to follow.

She was described as an “outstanding cadet with infectious enthusiasm that stood out head and shoulders above others … epitomising the very best of the Air Training Corps”.

RAFCT director Amanda Butcher added: “Lauren’s contribution to the air cadets is exceptional and she truly is a deserving winner of this award.

“Providing young people with opportunities and invaluable experience within aviation-related fields is a huge part of what we do at the Trust and we hope this award will be a significant boost towards paving the way for Lauren’s future in flying.”