Woman's remembrance honour

Heidi Watkins, 26, of Southdown Road, was invited to ceremonies at the Mountbatten Memorial in Horseguards' Parade and the memorial to Field Marshal Slim in Whitehall by the Burma Star Association.

Heidi (pictured) said she was most humbled and honoured to play at such a prestigious event.

She said: 'Each time I play the Last Post at these types of events, it means so much to me.

'I put so much expression and feeling into it as my generation owes so much to these veterans and also the Fallen who put their lives at risk for our freedom today.'

Heidi, who is also the County of Sussex Trumpeter to the Royal British Legion, has already been engaged to play at next year's memorial parades in London.

She has also been engaged to play at Thorney Island Royal Artillery Barracks on September 29 at the Anglo-German Memorial service held there each year.

In addition to this she is to play at the annual dinner of the Royal Sussex Yeomanry where she plays Officers' Mess Call, the Last Post, Reveille and No More Parades Today.

Heidi started her musical career with the Newhaven Youth Marching Band then progressed to taking Royal School of Music exams.

She is currently a member of the Eastbourne Silver Band and also has two roles with the Heathfield Silver Band '“ playing cornet and doubling up as a drum major when the band is on parade at Sussex bonfire processions.

Heidi has also just been invited to play at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at Brookwood Cemetery on November 4.

She is a member of the Seaford Royal British Legion branch.