A Horwich St John Ambulance cadet will be representing the county in a national competition.

Gemma Elcoat has won the Lancashire heats of the Cadet of the Year contest and will now compete against 12 other young people in the national heats which will be held in Oxford in January.

The 16-year-old has been a keen member of St John Ambulance Brigade since she joined the Badgers group, which is for younger brigade members, on her sixth birthday.

She has won many awards during her 10 years with the Horwich Combined Division, which is based at the Resource Centre in Beaumont Road, including scooping the only "Super Badger" prize to be awarded in the area at the age of 10.

Gemma, who is a pupil at Rivington and Blackrod Sixth Form College, recently came second in the area finals of the Cadet Care Team with a Horwich colleague and attended a glittering ceremony in London.

She dedicates as much time as possible to her work with the brigade and particularly enjoys being assistant leader of the Horwich Badgers.

Gemma, who wants to go into nursing when she leaves school, faces a challenge when she competes in the final as she will have to give a 10 minute spoken presentation, complete a written project and take part in team skills.

She said: "I'm just glad to have won the county section because I wasn't expecting to at all.

"I will be quite nervous when I take part in the finals, but I'm looking forward to it. My mum and dad are really proud."

St John Deputy County Commissioner, Roy Williams, said: "We are absolutely thrilled for her."