TWO kind-hearted Preston teenagers have collected again -- this time a special award.

Cadets Nicola Tarjanyi and Stephanie Kitt raised more money than any other sea cadets in the county during last year's Poppy Appeal.

And to give them some encouragement while shaking their tins, the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, Lord Shuttleworth, organised a countywide competition for the super shakers.

Lord Shuttleworth explained: "It's all about seeing which cadet and which unit can raise the most money for the Poppy Appeal around Remembrance Day in autumn.

"This year almost £25,000 was raised by cadets across Lancashire, that's a magnificent amount. Last year they raised £20,000."

The colossal collectors, both from Lea, Preston, attend Ashton-on-Ribble High School, and are members of Preston Sea Cadets which meets every Wednesday and Friday from 7.30pm. Other winners included Flight Sergeant Smith who collected more than any other members of the Air Training Corps (ATC) in the county. Unit winners included the Lostock Hall detachment of the Army Cadet Force (ACF) which collected more than any other ACF in the county, and the Bamber Bridge Squardron of the ATC.

The youngsters were presented with trophies and certificates at a ceremony at Kimberley Barracks in Deepdale Road, Preston, on Monday.

Attending the event were Mr Ian Kanal, the national vice-chairman of the Royal British Legion; Chief Constable Mrs Pauline Clare, who is also the Honorary Colonel of the Lancashire Army Cadet Force; and Mr Richards and Mr Whitehead of BNFL which sponsored the presentation evening.

The Royal British Legion relies on the annual Poppy Appeal for around of half of its total revenue.