A young Sutton sea cadet unit will represent London against the UK's top six teams during a 'premier' UK-wide competition this weekend.

The group of 10 Sutton Sea Cadets, with an age range of between 12 and 17, will participate in the National Drill and Piping Competition on Saturday (April 21).

Held at the HMS Raleigh training facility in Cornwall, the unarmed squad will represent 45 units from the capital and Essex in the event.

Lieutenant Commander Ian Turner said: “Nationals are regarded by myself, cadets, and staff officers as the Olympics of drill, demanding a considerable amount of practice, dedication, combined with an incredible degree of smartness and presentation.

“In the career of a sea cadet getting through to the national drill final is rarely surpassed as an achievement.

“I, as a Lieutenant Commander, am immensely proud of our current achievement. This is only the second tie in the whole of my career that this has happened.”

Teams are required to follow strict drill routines and cadets are critiqued on their performances by judges.

Sutton Sea Cadets participate in sports such as athletics, football, and swimming galas while providing community support through events as a charity.

It comes as the unit won the Area Unarmed Drill competition which has now led them to this weekend against six other teams from across the United Kingdom.