Five local St John Ambulance youth members have got a date at Buckingham Palace scheduled in their 2012 diaries.

The youngsters will meet members of the royal family after entering a competition to find ambassadors for both St John Badgers, aged five to ten, and Cadets, aged ten to 17.

There were 16 youngsters who took part in a two-day challenge for the Cadets and a single day for the Badgers, with both groups having uniform inspections, giving visual presentations, attending interviews and being monitored for their team work.

The Cadets also demonstrated foot drill and were assessed on their etiquette and behaviour during a three-course meal.

The Badger and Cadet of the year were then chosen as Hannah Todd from the Stoke Holy Cross division and Joshua Pilling from the Sprowston number two Badger sett.

While the Cadets deputies were Shannon Segon from the Clover Hill division and James Finch from the Stoke Holy Cross division, with the Badgers deputy named as Rosin Bailey from Sprowston number two Badger Sett.

They will all work as ambassadors throughout 2012, compete at the National Cadet and Badger of the Year competition, meet dignitaries at some of the events St John Ambulance provides first aid cover for and attend a palace reception.