DOZENS of youngsters have come together to mark the upcoming 65th anniversary of Dunbar Sea Cadets.

The group, which aims to transform youngsters into “confident, resilient young people who thrive in a complex world”, was formed in 1958.

The cadets, based off North Road, held a parade from their unit to the town’s harbour for a service of thanksgiving earlier this month.

Roderick Urquhart, Lord Lieutenant of East Lothian, took the salute alongside Lord Lieutenant of Berwickshire, Jeanna Swan; Captain of the Sea Cadets, Neil Downing RN; District Officer Walter Lewis and Area Officer, Commander Gary Farmer.

Pippa Swan, chairwoman of the town’s community council, presented Dunbar Sea Cadets’ officer-in-charge, PO Colin Docherty, with the original commissioning certificate, which was recently uncovered and reframed for the occasion.

Commander Farmer commended the cadets, saying they “were well turned out and demonstrated all that is good about Sea Cadets”.

He added: “The participation and involvement of so many parents and families indicate just how integral the unit is to the local community.”

The cadets were piped to the harbour by Dunbar Pipe Band member and Able Cadet Lachlan Stebbing, and the parade commander was Leading Cadet Ashley Arthur, S5 pupil at Dunbar Grammar School.

The parade was met by Belhaven Hill School’s pipe band.

Following the service, guests, cadets and staff returned to the Dunbar branch of the Royal British Legion for lunch, prepared by members of the unit management committee, and a cake was cut by the youngest cadet.

A spokesperson for the Sea Cadets said: “The Royal British Legion allow us regular use of the hall for our full division nights, formal parades and the junior cadets when needed, and cadets enjoy giving back to the veterans there by serving at their monthly breakfast, and we are grateful to the members there who support our work throughout the year.

“We are also grateful to the Harbour Trust for their assistance on the day and for asking us to mark the occasion with an artistic panel which is now displayed at the Harbour.”

The spokesperson added: “In recognition of the anniversary, and in light of rising costs and the regular maintenance required on our ageing unit minibus, the Parents and Supporters Association have set up a JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/crowd funding/DunbarSeaCadets and would be very grateful for any support given.”