A trainee air cadet with the 241 Wanstead and Woodford Squadron Corps has been chosen alongside 20 other “outstanding” national candidates.
Akshay Mandalia, 18, of Lord Avenue, Clayhall, was chosen from more than 200 to go through to the next stage of the Duke of Westminster Award competition.
It is organised by vocational qualification provider CVQO. The Ilford County High School pupil will take part in a four-day selection event in Somerset in April.
The cadet will earn a level three leadership qualification from the Institute of Leadership and Management and could be among nine chosen for a three-week expedition in South Africa.
The overall award-winner will be announced in June.
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