Father and son Mark and Luke Perrett have both been honoured by the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire.

The pair, of Marchfield Road, Chippenham, were given certificates at a ceremony in Devizes Town Hall for their work as part of Wiltshire Army Cadets.

Former soldier Mr Perrett, 53, received the Certificate for Meritorious Service for his work as group leader of Wiltshire Army Cadet Force in Corsham.

Sixteen-year-old Luke, a student at Chippenham College and staff sergeant in the Corsham detachment, was appointed one of the Lord Lieutenant’s Cadets for the next year after being put forward by cadet group leaders.

The role includes attendance with Sarah Troughton, who acts as the Queen’s representative, at a number of official engagements, including attending three remembrance events last weekend.

Luke said: “I enjoy the opportunities and new experiences from being in the cadets and it is great to be awarded for something that I enjoy doing.

“Receiving the award of Lord Lieutenant’s cadet for Wiltshire was an achievement I am very proud of and it is an honour to fulfil the role throughout the next year.”

Mr Perrett, who works for the MoD, said: “Luke was nominated well before I knew of my award, which was a real bonus. I’m really pleased I have been recognised for my work, although it was all a bit a surprise.”

Luke got his father involved in the Cadets about four years ago when the group was struggling for adult volunteers.

Since Mr Perrett took charge at Corsham, he has seen cadet numbers rise from a handful to approximately 30 including his 14-year-old daughter Ella.

Also appointed as Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadets were Philippa Balshaw, 16, from the Chippenham Air Training Corps and Karl Martin, 17, from Trowbridge Army Cadet Force.