A WEYMOUTH standard bearer has beaten competition to fly the flag at national level.

Elaine Smith, from the South Dorset branch of the Association of Wrens, has been appointed National Standard Bearer for the next two years.

The 55-year-old, who has been carrying the standard for the Wrens locally since 1999, said she was honoured to be selected for the role.

Elaine was persuaded to take part in the national competition by fellow branch members and had to take part in a tough selection competition in London’s St Columba’s Church, where she came up against competitors from London, York, Cheltenham and Portsmouth.

She said: “It was very nerve wracking, it was a rigorous kit inspection and you had to do a set drill routine so anything could happen.

“It’s an honour really being the top one and hopefully to carry the national standard.”

Elaine’s first big event will be to bear the national standard at the Big Armed Forces Day on Saturday, June 30 in Plymouth.

She said: “It will be an honour. I’m really looking forward to it. It will be a bit like our veterans’ parade in Weymouth but a lot bigger.”

Elaine, who served as a Wren for 18 years before joining her local association when she moved down to Dorset, said she had a lot of people to thank for helping her to her appointment.

They included fellow South Dorset branch members, who raised funds to buy her new gauntlets and uniform shirts.

She also wanted to thank Dudley Hammond and Tony Seal from the Royal Naval Association, the local Sea Cadets for allowing her to use their drill hall and Julia Gorman from Top Knot hairdressers who gave her a winning haircut the day before the competition.

Elaine said: “It was something that I was persuaded into doing but I’m glad I did it.”

The standard bearer’s next local engagement will be the Weymouth Armed Forces Day next month and before then she has a decision to make as to whether she will carry the national or South Dorset standard.