A cake in the shape of the Lord Nelson boat marked 100 years to the day since the Sea Cadets started in Norwich.

The cadets celebrated the milestone in the city yesterday evening by cutting a cake shaped as their boat – TS Lord Nelson – on the River Wensum.

The birthday makes the unit one of the oldest surviving Sea Cadet groups in the country and to celebrate the landmark the group launched a Royal Marines detachment last night for youngsters.

Lieutenant Mark Janner-Burgess said: 'We are looking to the future with the Royal Marine detachment.'

The marines will learn map reading, leadership skills, field craft and learn about the history of the Royal Marines with instructor Jane Horton.

Cadet instructors have also trained in power boats and dinghies to qualify to teach the youngsters who come from across Norfolk and Norwich to join the group.

Thousands of young people have gone through the Norwich Sea Cadets over the past 100 years and many of the young people go on to volunteer with the cadets.

The unit, which is a registered charity, is run by a team of volunteers and relies on fundraising and donations. The Ministry of Defence provides only its uniforms and some of the boats.

Last Friday the cadets celebrated the anniversary with a ball at the Oaklands Hotel in Thorpe St Andrew.

To join the Sea Cadets or for more information, email norwichseacadets@hotmail.co.uk or call Irene Spinks on 07900 922887