THE Devon branch of the Royal British Legion now has the distinction of having the country's youngest county standard bearer — Okehampton resident Ben Stephens.

Ben, aged 24, is the standard bearer for the Okehampton branch of the Royal British Legion and won the title of county standard bearer for 2015 at a recently held competition.

This makes him the youngest county standard bearer in the whole of the United Kingdom.

A former member of the Okehampton Air Training Corps, Ben is now an Okehampton branch committee member with special duties as liaison officer between the Okehampton detachments of the ACF and ATC, which are now officially affiliated to the Royal British Legion.

He is also an Okehampton town councillor.

Ben took up standard bearing eight years ago when legion member Peter Williams visited the cadet hut in an effort to recruit a new standard bearer. Ben put his name forward and has been doing it ever since.

He said: 'Being county standard bearer is a lot of responsibility but it is a really good thing to have and something I am proud of.

'A lot of preparation goes into competition, polishing your shoes and buffing your brass. On the day you put all your kit on, have one final polish, and then an inspection.

'It feels like they look at you for an hour, looking at absolutely every detail, and ticking off all these tiny things — they even check to see you've washed behind your ears!

'Then you do your moves, which all have to be in time, so it takes a lot of preparation.

'I don't really notice being the youngest standard bearer any more – I've been the youngest member of the legion for so long now I'm used to it. I think the legion appreciates attracting younger members.'

Ben was one of two Okehampton residents to be recognised at the 2015 annual conference of the Devon Royal British Legion.

Mrs Val Hoar was presented with the '75th Anniversary Trophy 1921-96' for her outstanding contribution to the legion during the past ten years.

The trophy was presented to her by the county president Commodore Jake Moores OBE, for 'services not only as a loyal legion member but also as a volunteer case worker and Poppy Appeal organiser as well as being a valued staff member and case work officer'