A PARTNERSHIP has created a competition that encourages sea cadets across the country to design a new memorial.

The Submariner Memorial Appeal is partnering with the Sea Cadets to develop a memorial which will recognise the role that Royal Navy submariners have played over the last century.

The competition is open to almost 15,000 sea cadets across the UK – as well as members of the public – with prizes including £1,000.

Commander Tom Herman OBE RN, Submarine Flotilla secretary, said: “We’d like to encourage sea cadets from across the country and overseas units to come up with ideas for a memorial to those who lost their lives while serving in submarines and to recognise the sacrifice of their families.”

The chosen design for the memorial will be installed next year at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

It will be the first of its kind in the UK to commemorate both submariners and their families.

The winner will be invited to the grand opening of the memorial which will be revealed by His Royal Highness Prince William, who is the Commodore-in Chief, Submarines.

The Sea Cadets have branches in Carlisle, Whitehaven, Workington, Kendal, and Barrow.

The memorial design competition will close at the end of August, for more details on how to enter visit www.submarinermemorial.uk.