A TRECWN teenager has been awarded one of the highest commendations available to members of St John Ambulance.

19-year-old Jason Venables has achieved the coveted Sovereign's Award in recognition of his outstanding work in the community.

It is the senior internal award for young people in the organisation and is personally signed by the Sovereign Head of the Order, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth.

Only ten are issued each year, and it involves developing a project based on community service, St John service and personal development.

In his project, Jason documented his 14 day trip to Zambia with St John in 2011, and the 1000 voluntary hours he had completed in Pembrokeshire. He will be presented with his award at a ceremony in Buckingham Palace on March 19.

Jason has been a member of St John ambulance for more than nine years, and has completed his Grand Prior award, as well as winning Pembrokeshire Cadet of the Year.

The former Ysgol Bro Gwaun pupil said: “I found it challenging, however, once I had planned out what I was writing about, and how I was going to write it, the whole project seemed to fit into place.

“It's an honour to be going to the palace, and I have to acknowledge the fact that I could not have done this without the help of Eunice O'Hara of Fishguard division and Janice John of Haverfordwest division.

“I would like to say thank you to those two people the most as they have supported me and helped me throughout my St John career."

Jason is currently studying popular music in Welsh at Cardiff School of Cultural Industries, and is also continuing to volunteer as the County Youth Development officer for Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.