AN Okehampton cadet has won a public vote to become an ambassador for the education charity CVQO.

After an intense public vote, which saw nearly 3,500 votes cast on the website and via text, Megan Hansen, a cadet with 2443 Okehampton Squadron Training Air Corps came out as the clear winner, receiving the crown from 2014's Rebecca Varney.

She will now join the nine national finalists in the CVQO Duke of Westminster Award for lunch at the House of Lords on June 30.

As regional ambassador Megan will work with the team at CVQO over the next 12 months to make others aware of the benefits of vocational qualifications, helping others follow in her footsteps.

Megan was one of 26 cadets chosen from thousands nationally to make a shortlist for the CVQO Duke of Westminster Award.

She was unlucky to not make the final nine finalists but earned the chance to be named as a regional ambassador for the CVQO by proving her qualities as a great cadet and demonstrating the benefits the CVQO qualification has given her.

Flt Lt Andy Oliver RAFVR(T), the Commanding Officer of Okehampton cadets, said: 'This has been a fantastic journey for Meg for which she has had massive support from within and outside the cadets. The experience she has gained in the process has been immense and the four day outward bound selection in the Quantocks was both enthralling and challenging. Meg is a shining example of what our young people can achieve given the self belief and opportunity.'

CVQO is a UK-based educational charity that has been changing lives through vocational training and development since 2001. It provides opportunities for young people and adult volunteers to improve their prospects in education and work through vocational qualifications

CVQO is accredited by Edexcel, the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) and City and Guilds.