TWO students from Swindon's New College went to Buckingham Palace to collect the highest award a St John Ambulance cadet can achieve.

Jasmine Edwards, 17, from Lyneham, and Martyn Masters, 18, from Rodbourne received their Grand Prior award from Princess Anne.

Each candidate had to demonstrate proficiency in first aid and 11 other subjects.

Jasmine has been involved with St John Ambulance since she was four.

She said: "My dad was a leader and I used to go with him.

"Then I joined as a Badger when I was six.

"Going to Buckingham Palace was amazing. We had to line up at the front and march into the palace.

"There were loads of tourists watching and taking photos."

Jasmine was very impressed with Buckingham Palace.

She said: "I couldn't believe how big it was.

"It was very posh and there was lots of red and gold everywhere.

"We had footmen coming round with silver plates carrying food and we were treated like royalty ourselves.

"Princess Anne introduced herself and shook our hands.

"We had to curtsey and I was terrified I would break my leg.

"I was expecting her to be really scary but she wasn't."

Jasmine said the princess asked her about the activities she had done to win the Grand Prior Award.

She said: "I think I'll remember the day for a long time."

Martyn is studying IT at New College, while working part-time at the Wyvern Theatre as a performance fireman.

He said: "Princess Anne was very nice.

"We got on well. She asked how long I'd been in the service.

"She knows quite a lot about St John Ambulance."

Both Martyn and Jasmine believe that their involvement in the service has brought them out of themselves.

Martyn said: "I used to be really quiet and not talk to anyone.

"But now I seem to be more talkative and get on with more people.

"We go to things like football matches and horse racing, and help out with injuries.

"We meet new people and have a chance to help."

Jasmine said: "I used to be really shy but I'm not any more. I enjoy meeting new people and helping."

Dave Andrew