A teenager has been named a St John Ambulance cadet of the year.

Isaac Barkway, who lives in Mermaid Close, Hitchin, was named East of England region’s 2014 West District Cadet of the Year.

The 17-year-old volunteer will represent his fellow cadets from the district – which covers Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire – throughout the year at public and St John Ambulance events.

In a competition designed to single out the district’s most outstanding St John Ambulance cadet, Isaac had to complete a first aid challenge to demonstrate his life saving abilities, take part in a team building exercise as well as give a presentation and be interviewed by judges.

He will join three other East of England cadets to compete for the title of overall East of England Cadet of the Year and the National Cadet of the Year in April.

Isaac, who is studying GCSEs at North Hertfordshire College, joined St John Ambulance when he was 13.

A member of the Hitchin unit, he now spends his spare time volunteering as a first aider at events such as the London Marathon, as well as supporting younger cadets in the unit by teaching them first aid.

He said: “I am honoured to have been chosen as West District Cadet of the Year and I feel immensely proud to represent this fantastic organisation. I’m really looking forward to the year ahead and the opportunities this position has to offer.”

Fellow Hitchin cadet Anthony Coyne, 16, has also been given a Grand Prior Award, the highest level accolade a cadet can achieve.

To complete the award Anthony showed sustained effort for three years studying 24 difference subjects - including life saving first aid skills, communication and working in the community.