A LONG established organisation which helps young people develop a range of important skills says membership is reaching new heights. 

The team at 49F Greenock (MacRoberts Reply) Air Cadets are preparing to host an open evening on August 31 to welcome new recruits.

Squadron Adjutant Paul Ferguson says with 30 cadets on the books at the moment, membership has reached its highest point in 10 years.

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Paul puts the success of the group down to the team being there for young people during the coronavirus pandemic. 

He said: "We were the first squadron in the UK to transition to digital sessions and we kept the group going through Covid.

"A lot of the young people said the sessions really kept them going through lockdown and were a constant for them.

"We've retained 55 per cent of the cadets we had pre-pandemic and more have joined us since.  

"We've come back really strongly after coronavirus."

The 49F Greenock (MacRoberts Reply) squadron was founded 1941 and recruits have been based at a building in Ardgowan Street in Greenock since the 1980s. 

Young people can join up in S1 at the age of 12 and can stay right through until 20. 

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When recruits reach 18, they become staff cadets and start passing on their knowledge and expertise to younger members. 

Young people learn a range of skills and take part in a wide variety of activities, including flying, shooting, adventure training and fieldcraft. 

National 5 and National 6 qualifications can also be achieved, and recruits get the chance to train at Glasgow Airport and RAF Kirknewton. 

Paul says while the Air Cadets is not a recruiting organisation for the Royal Air Force, young people learn about some of the skills needed to take to the skies. 

He added: "Cadets come here and learn about aviation, engineering and science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and we offer them really exciting opportunities for personal and professional development.

"They get to try new things in a safe environment, make friends along the way, and gain skills for life."

Some of the young people at 49F recently took part in exciting activities across Scotland. 

Cadet Jason Harvey attended the Royal International Air Tattoo in Gloucestershire, and Sergeant Sean Docherty went on a tour of Belgian battlefields. 

Cadet Mia Laou, Cadet Emma Conway, Corporal Catherine Jarvey and Cadet Jocelyn Welsh meanwhile took part in a PR and media competition. 

Corporal Catherine Jarvey and Corporal Teo McLelland attended the National Air Cadet Adventure Training Centre in Wales. 

Catherine said: "The best thing about being part of the cadets is definitely the people you meet and the skills you learn."

Teo added: "There are limitless activities and you make a lot of new friends."

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Commanding officer Flight Lieutenant Vanda Nicholls said she's 'incredibly proud' of what 49F has achieved as a squadron. 

She added: "Our cadets are keen to get involved in a wide array of activities and we're lucky to have a dedicated staff team supported by a caring and supportive civilian committee. 

"We're always looking to grow."

The August intake session will take place at the 49F base in Ardgowan Street, Greenock, on August 31 from 7.30pm.