Private Lucas Hayes of Grange involved in King's coronation in London

Private Lucas Hayes, of Grange, was among the military personnel involved in London.

It comes after the teenager, who was one of 16 medics selected for duty when the Queen died, helped a guard who fainted and fell off a podium while watching over the late monarch's coffin while she was lying in state at the Palace of Westminster.

Mum Jo Hayes said: "It's an important event in all of our lives and obviously we're very proud of him. He was the youngest in his regiment.

"It's a great experience and an honour.

"The camaraderie has been great, the way all of the units from all over the world came together and trained with military precision.

"At one point, he hadn't slept in 24 hours, they were getting up at 2am doing their procession through the streets at night."

The private in the 4th Armoured Medical Regiment, who has been in the army for just two years, is based at Tidworth. He graduated from Harrogate Army Foundation College during lockdown.

Jo added: "He's doing so well, he's training to train medics. He's achieved a lot in a short time.

"At school (Cartmel Priory), he just did not know what he was going to do when he left.

"There's hope for kids who don't know what they want to do. He saw the army and within two weeks, we'd gone to an open day. 

"Thank god for careers day at school. Without it, I don't know if Lucas would have known what to do.

"He was quite quiet growing up and went off a day after his 17th birthday, but it's totally brought him out of his shell, he's so confident and knowledgeable.

"Wherever he gets stationed now, he always knows somebody. We've had a really good, positive experience of the army so far with Lucas."

Last year, Lucas competed in the 'Army Olympics' in the high and long jump, earning him medals. He also learnt to skydive at Cark with dad Kieron, a skydiving instructor, within one week.