A POOLE Army Cadet has beaten off stiff competition for a chance to secure a once-in-a-lifetime trip to South Africa.

Cadet Jamie Tointon is one of 30 cadets from across the UK to be selected for a tough, week-long selection process, set for Somerset.

Just ten cadets will be chosen for the South Africa trip in July, which is part of the Duke of Westminster Award scheme.

Cadet Tointon, who aspires to study medicine, volunteers at Poole Hospital every week alongside his cadet activities.

Detachment Commander Mark Tilsed said: "This has been a fantastic achievement which is well deserved. With all the hard work he has put in at the detachment and his volunteering work at the hospital at the weekends, it has been a great pleasure to have been involved in helping him progress towards his goal.

"Everyone at the detachment wishes him best of luck with his trip to South Africa."