BUCKS army cadets were weighed down with 15 gold and 14 silver medals from their regional athletics event.

Cadets throughout south east England gathered at Reading's premier athletic venue, Palmer Park Sports Stadium, for their annual regional Army Cadet Force Athletics event.

Buckinghamshire Army Cadets came home with their gold and silver medals and also the honour of winning the overall event.

Helen Burrow, spokesman for the event, said: "They are actually the smallest county group taking part, so they were very pleased to have won."

More than 200 cadets and adult instructors from Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Sussex, Oxfordshire and Berkshire took part in the competition on May 6 which involved field, track and throwing events.

Lieutenant Colonel Brian Tearle, County Commandant of the Berkshire Army Cadet Force, presented the winners with their medals.

He said: "This year's event was well supported, had a great atmosphere and plenty of good, healthy competition."

The cadets, whose ages ranged between 13 and 18, were competing for places in the National Athletics meeting which will be held at Grantham on June 23. Lt Tearle added: "Events such as this athletics meeting have proved a significant boost to our annual training programme."