A NORTH Yorkshire St John Ambulance cadet today told of the day she came face to face with her most famous patients...Boyzone.

Schoolgirl Victoria Shield, who was today named County Cadet of the Year, almost needed treatment herself when she met her idols while on duty at their concert at the Barbican in York.

Fulfilling what must be every teenage girl's dream, she had to strap Shane's ankles, bind Keith's wrists, and bandage Steven's knee after the show.

And all in the line of duty.

"I went on autopilot when I they came up and asked for some attention," said Victoria.

"But afterwards I was just standing there with my mouth hanging open.

"I just couldn't believe it - I nearly fell over."

Victoria, 16, of Pinfold Avenue, Sherburn-in-Elmet, understandably rates that evening's work as a highlight of her seven-year career with the service.

She has already been on duty at a whole host of other events including Tom Jones and Robbie Williams concerts.

And, not content with just playing nurse to the stars, the St Ethelburga's schoolgirl is set to take to the screen herself later this month.

She was part of a choir which will be featured in an upcoming Songs of Praise, filmed last week at the Castle Museum in York.

"But it's not all glitz and glamour," she said.

In December she spent two hours standing in the middle of the A64 directing traffic when she and her family came across an accident involving a minibus and a car.

Victoria was one of just 44 volunteers chosen from more than 22,000 cadets across the country to attend the recent national Cadet of the Year competition in Oxford.

"Going down to the national finals was a dream come true for me," she said.

"I've always wanted to go there, and although I didn't win I made so many wonderful friends." Victoria has also paid a visit to Buckingham Palace as a result of her work with St John Ambulance.

She met Princess Anne in June when she received a prestigious Grand Prior Award which required seven years of training.

Victoria is currently studying for A' levels in French, English language and the performing arts and hopes to go on to drama school.

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