SIR - It was pleasing to see your pictures of smart Sea Cadets and to read of their recent competition (Worcester News, February 6). It may not be generally realised that the Sea Cadets is a charitable youth organisation which aims to develop character and self-reliance through the medium of a nautical training.

Such an organisation is obviously an invaluable source of recruitment for the Royal Navy and therefore enjoys a good deal of encouragement and support from the service, but it is not primarily a pre-service training organisation.

I have seen the cadets on parade several times recently and they are to be congratulated on their manner, bearing and appearance. Surely they are deserving of every encouragement locally.

John Hinton, Worcester.