An Ammanford Police Cadet met royalty as she completed her first official duty assisting the Lord Lieutenant of Dyfed last weekend.

Ffion Jenkins, aged 16, was one of three cadets from the force – and the first from Carmarthenshire – recruited to help HM Lord Lieutenant Sara Edwards in her official duties and ceremonial tasks in May.

The Ysgol Dyffryn Aman pupil was assigned her first task of supporting the Lord Lieutenant as part of HRH Prince Charles’s Wales summer tour, which started on Sunday, July 9.

Ffion said: “Sunday was a very special day for myself and my family. I was really nervous but really excited.

“I felt very smart in my uniform and would like to thank everyone that helped get my dress uniform and boots ready.

“I was very surprised to hear that I was opening the car door for Prince Charles, and I was very careful as I did.

“When he got out he said I looked smart and that was really nice.

“He was lovely and made me feel at ease.

“When we met again in Myddfai Hall I spoke about my role as a Lord Lieutenant cadet and how much I enjoy the activities, the patrolling and community work.

“He asked if I'd like to join the police force and I said I'd very much like to be a PC.

“Prince Charles wished me the best and said I'd done a good job. I was really proud and this will be a memorable moment for me.”

The National Volunteer Police Cadets is supported by the Association of Chief Officers and is undertaken by the majority of police services across the UK.

The scheme was launched in Dyfed-Powys in 2015 and Ffion is one of the 19 cadets who started the two year programme then.

The cadets meet every week and take part in local community initiatives and police campaigns. The scheme aims to develop an understanding of the police amongst young people, to encourage good citizenship and inspire young people to participate positively in their communities and support local policing priorities.

“I enjoy being part of the cadet unit and look forward to my role this year as the Lord Lieutenant Cadet,” Ffion said.

I really enjoy attending community events as well as representing the cadets in the community. We have been to many different events and I feel part of a team and always feel that I have a role to play.

“I'd like to thank all the Police Cadet leaders for this opportunity and make everyone proud as I fulfil my role. Diolch yn fawr i bawb am y cyfleoedd a diolch i Sara Edwards am ei chyfeillgarwch a chymorth."

Chief Constable Mark Collins was also present at the royal visit and witnessed Ffion’s contribution.

He said: “Ffion was selected to represent the force as Lord Lieutenant’s cadet as a result of her hard work and the contribution she has already made in her training as a police cadet.

“I hope she enjoyed her first experience of the role on Sunday, when she was able to meet and talk with HRH Prince Charles during his visit.

“She was a credit to Dyfed-Powys Police and I’m sure it is a day she will remember for a long time.”