Leadership skills and service to the community have landed air force cadet Molly Ashby with a top honour.

Teenager Molly, a sergeant with the 878 Highworth Squadron, has been appointed a Lord Lieutenant Cadet for Wiltshire 2019/20.

“I was just so excited to be told this,” said Molly, who lives in Stratton St Margaret. She will be 17 when she takes on the role.

“I was so happy and honoured and I couldn’t believe that I got it,” she added.

As one of two RAF Air Cadets appointed to the role in Wiltshire, Sgt Ashby will act as a representative of the cadets in Wiltshire and accompany the county's Lord Lieutenant on official duties such as royal visits.

Flight lieutenant RAFAC Nick Goddard, officer commanding the 878 Squadron, said: “Sgt Ashby fully deserves the appointment and perfectly demonstrates what you can achieve in the RAF Air Cadets.

“She already has impressive leadership abilities and a positive community spirit,” he added.

Sgt Ashby joined the cadets three years ago.

Speaking about her new duties, she said: “I’m so nervous, but I’m so excited to get started. I think this will help me grow as a person and will show me so many things which I am excited to learn from.

“As I say to all my cadets, the more you put into cadets the more you do get out of it, and all your hard work is appreciated and valued.”

Molly says that listening is key to being a good leader.

“A leader is compassionate to their team. They are determined about what the end goal is, motivated and can give motivation. Most importantly they should be able to give criticism and to take criticism.

“I try to teach my cadets they should celebrate everyone’s achievements no matter their gender, race or sexuality,” she said.