Abingdon’s Sea Cadets have been honoured with a special flag marking their improvements over the past year.

The mayor of Abingdon, Mike Badcock, and the High Sheriff of Oxfordshire, William Alden, were among those at the TS Marlborough Abingdon Sea Cadets’ annual parade last week.

The formal parade forms part of their regular unit review, which is an assessment of the performance of all Sea Cadet units. Cadets and staff were formally inspected and official guests were given a tour of the unit before the cadets made a half-hour presentation about their activities during the past 12 months.

After this the unit was awarded a burgee, a type of flag, to mark their improvements.

The officer in charge of Abingdon Sea Cadets, Acting Lieutenant (SCC) Kevin Anderson, said: “I am very proud of all the cadets and staff at TS Marlborough.

“In 2011 we were delighted to have been awarded a pennant for our performance.

“The burgee is a higher award than that achieved last year.

“This has only been possible because of the continued commitment of all those involved with our unit, above all that of our young cadets.”