Members of the Air Training Corps, from Midsomer Norton, were among Cadets who welcomed Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex to Yoxter Cadet Training Camp, on the Mendips, to show off their skills and high-tech training methods.

After being welcomed with a salute from the Somerset Army Cadet Force 'Silver Bugles', the Countess, accompanied by the Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, Lady Elizabeth Gass DCVO JP, first saw Army Cadets performing command tasks which tested their teamworking, fitness and leadership skills.

There was also a display of on-screen marksmanship, using electronic and optical sensors which allow Cadets to use rifles without ammunition, followed by a classroom demonstration of first aid training.

Cadets from 2282 (Somer) Squadron of the Air Training Corps, in Midsomer Norton, demonstrated their high-tech kit, in the form of an £1,800 QuadCopter.

Fitted with a miniature camera and controlled from the ground by an operator with a simple 'stick console', it offers Cadets and their adult instructors a bird's eye view of exercises and activities – and can even be used to drop and receive messages from those operating in the field.

At training syllabus level, it also provides practical instruction in engine torque, stick control and other flight characteristics. Back in the classroom, other Cadets were engaged in flight simulator exercises.

The visit was organised by the Wessex Reserve Forces and Cadets Association, which is responsible for managing Yoxter Camp, continually replacing and refurbishing the facilities for each new generation of Cadets.