TWO "high flyers" from Bury have been honoured for their outstanding efforts with the Air Cadets.

Cadet Flight Sergeant Fabian Noble, aged 19, and 73-year-old Mrs Doreen Jackson, a volunteer with Bury Air Cadets, have both been awarded the Lord-Lieutenant's certificate of merit. They received the accolades at the annual presentation of the Lord-Lieutenant awards held at Gorton Monastery.

Fabian's honour is in recognition of his exceptional service with Greater Manchester Air Cadets. He joined in 2010, and quickly rose through the ranks to achieve Master Cadet classification. He was awarded the distinctive yellow lanyard of an instructor cadet and trains junior cadets.

Flying and gliding are areas of special interest to Fabian, and he has flown in powered aircraft on a number of occasions. He completed a gliding scholarship in 2013, and has recently been awarded an Air Cadet Pilot Scheme Flying Scholarship

Fabian, who works as a part-time pool lifeguard in Bury, and assists with the local cub scouts, said: "I joined the Air Cadets because I was attracted by the various activities on offer. I have worked hard to achieve as much as I possibly can with the Cadets. The Air Training Corps has given me responsibility and many skills, and this award is not just in recognition of my achievements but of the fantastic opportunities offered by the Air Cadets."

Colonel Mark Underhill, chief executive of the North West of England and the Isle of Man Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (NW RFCA), which runs the awards, said: "Cadet Flight Sergeant Noble is committed to achievement as much as he can while he is a cadet, in preparation for a challenging career."

Mrs Jackson also received her award for her exceptional service to Greater Manchester Air Cadets.

As a 15-year- old girl guide, she was invited to a Christmas party at 1036 (Bury) Squadron, to which she subsequently transferred. In 1965 she joined the squadron’s civilian committee and remains a member to this day.

During the past 50 years, along with her fellow committee members, Doreen has been tireless in raising funds for the squadron. In 1989 the squadron embarked on what was to be a 25-year fundraising activity, collecting waste paper locally every six weeks. Since then, Doreen has attended more than 200 collections, raising much needed funds to purchase new band equipment and a flight simulator.

She said: ‘I’m very proud. Although I’ve never formally joined the squadron as an adult instructor, I feel like I’ve been a member since first going as a guest with the Girl Guides.’

Col Underhill said: "If it were not for the efforts of individuals like Mrs Doreen Jackson, many young and disadvantaged people would have missed out on some of life’s best experiences."

The certificates of merit were handed over by Mr Warren Smith, Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester.

For more information about the cadet movement, or to inquire about becoming a cadet or an adult volunteer: visit www.nwrfca.org.uk