Newtown Army Cadet Force has won a prestigious national armed forces award for changing hundreds of young people's lives in the area.

Paying tribute to the work carried out in Newtown, the Soldiering on Awards said: "For a small town, their membership is outstanding nationally. The detachment is expertly led by a group of Cadet Adult Volunteers and Detachment Commander Captain Rachael Jones-Morris.

"The group has had great success building local links in the community and working with other agencies to help out with volunteering and joint working."

The group won the Education, Training and Development category, with Capt Jones-Morris collecting the accolade.

Detachment Commander Captain Rachael Jones-Morris, who also works as an NHS nurse in Llanidloes, said: "We were extremely pleased to be nominated let alone go on a win.

"Army cadets means so much to so many different people within our community and we feel it’s a vital service to provide."

Rachel added that due its popularity, they need more adults to volunteer and train as instructors so more young people can join the cadets.

Twice a week at its base near Latham Park, Newtown Army Cadet Force volunteers offer for more than 40 teens aged between 12 and 18 the opportunity to gain the confidence to learn new skills.

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Such is the success of Newtown Army Cadets that there is a waiting list to join them on Tuesday and Thursday nights from 6.30pm to 9.15pm, but vacancies will be open later this year..

Ministerial and military leaders gathered to celebrate outstanding achievements within the Armed Forces community and praised the enduring sense of service and valuable contributions made by its members to the benefit of society.

The 2023 Soldiering On Awards honoured excellence and endeavour by individuals and organisations, including serving personnel, veterans and family members. The event showcased twelve diverse categories, in each of which a winner was announced, among a memorable evening of entertainment and speeches, attended by representatives from all three military services, military charities, and corporate supporters.

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Presenter and journalist Jeremy Vine returned to host the 13th annual Soldiering On Awards, the primary awards programme that celebrates the whole military community, at the prestigious Park Plaza Westminster Hotel on the evening of Wednesday, September 27.

Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Johnny Mercer MP, addressed the 450 guests to open the award announcements with praise for the Soldiering On Awards finalists, and collaborative theme behind the programme.

Mr Mercer said: "I am determined to make the UK the best place in the world to be a veteran. And to do so, veterans need support from both the government and their communities.

"These awards celebrate those who help to make a difference for the better. I commend the spirit of collaboration, the shared sense of purpose and tireless dedication of the nominees, finalists and winners."