Dedicated Bethany (15), has also gained the highest award a cadet can achieve and last year won the accolade of Deputy Cadet of the Year in Norfolk.

Her service has earned her the opportunity to attend a reception at Buckingham Palace and has also won her a nomination for a Super Kids award.

Bethany, of Drymere, near Swaffham, was nominated by St John's Deputy County Commissioner Youth for Norfolk, Ian Callaghan.

He said: "Bethany competed against four other young people to gain the title of Deputy County Cadet of Year." She had to complete a daunting round of interviews, presentations and team challenges in which she was said to have performed exceptionally.

During the last year, Bethany also gained her Grand Prior Award, which is the highest award a cadet can achieve. Mr Callaghan said: "It represents completing up to 24 cadet subjects in areas including first aid, leadership, skills training and personal development."

The Grand Prior Award was so highly thought of that many cadets continued to wear the badge on their uniform throughout their lifetime in St John Ambulance, he said.

"In recognition of her achievement, Bethany has been selected as one of the two 2007 Norfolk Grand Prior cadets to attend a reception at Buckingham Palace hosted by Princess Anne," said Mr Callaghan.

Bethany, who has been a member of St John since she was ten, has also undertaken a two-stage cadet trainer course enabling her to deliver training to young people, mainly in the Swaffham Division. "Like many other areas of Bethany's life, she approached obtaining this qualification with dedication, enthusiasm and professionalism," said Mr Callaghan.

Bethany was regarded as a key member of the Swaffham division by the leader, Justin Cowles, and played a large part in supporting the running of the division. "Bethany is also very willing to support the activities of the county as a whole," he added.