DROVE Primary School children have become the youngest in the UK to earn an accredited radio qualification under the guidance of community radio station Swindon 105.5.

After working with station manager Shirley Ludford the youngsters have achieved their Level One NCFE certificate at the age of just nine.

Three of the pupils will now have the chance to meet his Royal Highness the Duke of Kent when he visits the radio station on Monday.

Shirley said: “This is a real accolade for all involved with the town’s community radio station.

“The children are some of those I taught an accredited radio course and they became the youngest in the UK to gain their Level One NCFE certificate.

“Three young students will be with us on the day and will interview the Lord Lieutenant with the duke watching and listening.

“They will be in our third studio, a recording studio, which has been refurbished by the donation of Drove School’s studio desk, which I assisted with installing for the school five years ago.

“It is no longer used by the school as technological advances mean students use their IT suite and portable digital recorders instead.”

The school has developed a strong relationship with the radio station over the years, and the school’s regular donations to the station will enable Swindon 105.5 to start working with more schools in the future.

Children from Drove also took part in a Heritage Lottery project Shirley ran last year which saw local people producing programmes about the town's buildings.

Pupils learned about the history of their own school and interviewed people about the school and their memories, including the paddling pool which used to be in front of the building and was used by pupils many years ago.

Shirley said: “A really positive relationship has been formed and I am delighted some of the children will be with us to demonstrate their skills in front of such prestigious visitors with two of them interviewing the Lord Lieutenant and one operating a studio desk.

“It is great to see young people developing both confidence and skills, getting their voice heard and in some cases giving them a sense of direction.

“I can work alongside the school curriculum, help address issues like bullying, or we can design special projects as needed. Every course or project is different.”

The duke is to visit the station in Stratton Road to present the Queen’s Award For Voluntary Service – the equivalent of an MBE for voluntary organisations – to the radio station.

Shirley said: “It is a special day for volunteers as well as for those who support our regionally unique service.

“Swindon 105.5 is Swindon, said Government Minister Ed Vaizey on his visit to the radio station – and that’s how we intend the station to remain.”