A TEAM of air cadets has triumphed in an annual competition.

The Witham Air Cadets placed third in the Essex Wing Falklands Memorial Competition in Wethersfield this weekend.

The competition is an annual event in which squadrons throughout Essex go head-to-head in a range of activities.

It is a mark of respect and remembrance for the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the 1982 war.

The team had to prepare for activities such as archery, static target marking, first aid, speed march, maps and bearings, missile race, field gun rescue and a 16km navigation exercise.

Squadron Commanding Officer, Flight Lieutenant Sean Purcell, said: "This is a huge achievement for the squadron and is the first time since 2009 we have been in the top three.

"Third place is testament to the hard work and effort each member of the team has put in and is deserved by every single one of them."

As one of the top three teams they will now progress onto Tri-Service, an inter-service test within Essex between the Sea Cadets, Army Cadets and Air Cadets.

An overall county champion will then be crowned.