CLACTON cadets took up an incredible royal rowing opportunity for a special award challenge.

Three Sea Cadets from the Clacton unit travelled to Salisbury to complete their Duke of Edinburgh Award diamond challenge.

It included taking to the water and rowing a whopping 75 miles along the River Avon – alongside His Royal Highness Prince Edward, The Earl of Wessex.

Each year Sea Cadets achieve gold, silver and bronze Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

The diamond challenge was introduced for this year only to mark the 60th anniversary of the awards.

Clacton Sea Cadet co-ordinator, Petty Officer Ben Chandler, said: “Rowing with the Earl of Wessex is a memory our cadets will never forget and it’s only by being a Sea Cadet that they have had this incredible opportunity.

“It was also announced this year that Clacton Sea Cadets are the most successful unit in Duke of Edinburgh completions out of all 45 units in the London area, a great accolade.”

The Clacton branch opened in 1990 and currently has 50 active Sea Cadets, following in the footsteps of hundreds of others in taking on training and learning nautical skills.

The unit is looking for new recruits and volunteers to join up – anyone interested can email b-e-n-chandler@hotmail.co.uk