A CADET from Grove has been named as a regional finalist in this year’s CVQO Duke of Westminster Award.

Siobhan Mundy, 18, is one of 24 youngsters to be shortlisted and could win a three-week educational expedition to South Africa.

She said: “I’m pretty happy because when I first went for the award I never thought I would get this far. To be in with a chance to go to South Africa is great.”

The former King Alfred’s Academy student has been a member of Oxfordshire (The Rifles) Army Cadet Force for six years. She is currently a cadet under officer. She was nominated for the award by an officer after completing a gold Duke of Edinburgh award and for working as a customer service assistant in an Action for Children in Conflict charity shop.

The next stage of the competition is an intensive four-day selection event in Somerset in April, where she will be tested on teamwork, leadership and communication skills.

Miss Mundy, who works part-time at Waitrose in Wantage, said: “It will be quite tough but I’m really looking forward to it because it will be a really great challenge and something to say I’ve done.”

The cadets will be competing to be named as one of nine national finalists, who will all travel to South Africa to carry out charity and safari work.

The award winner will be announced at a lunch at the House of Lords on June 26.