DEVIZES teaching assistant Matthew Wheeler was delighted to meet the queen of countryside TV Julia Bradbury when he went to Buckingham Palace to receive a gold Duke of Edinburgh award.

Mr Wheeler, 23, who has worked at the school for nearly three years, met the former Countryfile presenter after she gave a talk about the importance of the outdoors to mental and physical health.

He said: "Achieving the gold D of E was a huge achievement and getting to collect the award at Buckingham Palace was an incredible experience and a privilege.

"My award was presented to me by Julia Bradbury, she gave an inspirational speech about how the outdoors is an important part of physical and mental health and how we should encourage everybody to enjoy at least a small part of it."

He also met the Countess of Wessex and had the chance for a chat.

He said: "She came to speak with us and I got to talk to her about the work I do coordinating the outdoor activities at Devizes School.

"The Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Wessex and a whole host of celebrities including the This Morning team, Dr Christian, Ainsley Harriet and many more were there.

"Hopefully I can go on I can go on and give the student at Devizes School the opportunities to experience and develop skills in outdoor adventurous activities. Then maybe one day, in the not so distant future, one of the students can go for gold."

Mr Wheeler who first got involved with the Duke of Edinburgh scheme as a 14-year-old pupil at John of Gaunt in Trowbridge, has already led Devizes pupils on expeditions.

After one earlier this year he said: "Running the D of E award for Devizes School gives me the great opportunity of working with some amazing students, in an environment which is outside the classroom and often outside their comfort zone.

"Completing there D of E will gain them a hugely recognised award and will hopefully inspire them to continue with outdoor adventurous activities in the future."

He said that visiting Buckingham Palace and receiving his award in such a place was a once in a lifetime experience.

He said: "Being at this presentation brings all the hard work put in worth while."