A HALSTEAD teenager has told of her thrill at meeting the Duchess of Cambridge and Carol Vorderman at a prestigious parade in London.

Cadet Flight Sergeant Emily Stokes, 18, got to attend the Air Training Corps 75th Anniversary Parade on Sunday after being chosen to represent Essex.

Emily, a member of (Colne Valley) Squadron Air Cadets, attended a service at RAF church St Clement Danes, followed by a reception held nearby at the Royal Courts of Justice.

The former Ramsey Academy pupil was chosen to meet the Duchess, former Countdown host Carol Vorderman and others after being nominated as Cadet of the Year.

Emily, of White Horse Avenue, said: “I was really pleased to be nominated and it was definitely a surprise as it was so unexpected.

“As I was nominated, I got to travel to London to the Royal Courts of Justice as part of the 75th anniversary of the Air Cadets on Sunday.

“Kate Middleton was there as she is the Honorary Air Commandant and so was Carol Vorderman as she is the Honorary Group Captain.

“I got to speak to Carol and she is really down to earth and a really nice person.

“She was really sweet and had time for everyone.

“I love being in the Cadets and it has given me so many opportunities that aren’t open to anyone else, like taking part in the anniversary celebrations.”

Emily joined the Cadets when she was 13, and now wants to join the RAF as a paramedic.

She is hoping to study paramedic science at university and then enlist.

She was nominated for the Cadet of the Year award by her squadron for her all round effort and work.

Her mum, Deanne, said: “She is really organised and has quickly gone up the ranks.

“The opportunities being in the Cadets has given her have been amazing – everything from flying and gliding to archery.”

At a ceremony in Chelmsford last month, Emily was presented with a certificate recognising her Cadet of the Year nomination.

Fellow Cadet Corporal Scott Bryant also collected an Aircraft Recognition award on behalf of the squadron, for being able to identify the most amount of planes from their photographs without using the internet.