Mick and Carol Bryant of High Street, Coningsby, were each given a Commandant's Commendation to celebrate 15 years of dedicated volunteering.

Daniel Withnall, Horncastle Squadron Leader, said: "It is a great achievement. I have been involved with the air cadets for 15 years and have never seen anyone else receive this award."

The Bryants first got involved when their son Andrew was an air cadet.

They attended a committee meeting and by the end of it Carol was the secretary and Mick a committee member. Carol then went on to become the chairman.

At one point, due to other commitments, she had to choose between being a committee member or an instructor working with the air cadets. Carol chose to be an instructor without any hesitation and she and her husband have been instructors ever since.

"It is so rewarding," she said. "People say to me 'why do you do it?' but it doesn't come down to money.

"You watch a shy, nervous little kid starting on the first day and leaving three years later full of confidence.

"There is one previous air cadet now flying the Hercules in the RAF and many others have gone on to join the RAF."

Certificates were presented by Squadron Leader David Horton on behalf of Wing Commander David Speed MBE - commandant officer with Trent Wing Air Training Core.

* Horncastle air cadets meet at the headquarters on Coronation Walk in Horncastle on a Tuesday and Thursday evening at 7.15pm.

* There is an open day on September 13 for parents of existing cadets and potential new members.

Details: Daniel Withnall 07823 335409