Cadets from Bassingbourn could be forgiven for sporting cheery grins last week, as they had a selfie taken with none other than Countdown star Carol Vorderman while collecting their Duke of Edinburgh Gold awards from Prince Edward.

Royston Crow: Carol Vorderman with Stuart Salter as he receives his Duke of Edinburgh award.Carol Vorderman with Stuart Salter as he receives his Duke of Edinburgh award. (Image: Archant)

The ceremony for the 2484 squadron, at which lucky cadets Martins Walls and Alex Rowson-Brown had a selfie taken with Carol, took place at St James’s Palace in London.

After the event, the star tweeted the picture saying: “Some of our great @aircadets after they received their Duke of Edinburgh Gold awards today... Well done gang x.”

Martin Walls said: “I had a fantastic time collecting my certificate. Carol Vorderman gave us our certificates one at a time and shook our hand congratulating us on the hard work we had put in.

“I managed to meet with her after the presentation just outside the palace where we spoke and she took a selfie and posted it on Twitter. All in all it was an amazing experience.”