THREE Swindon youngsters were awarded their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards at Buckingham Palace.

Youngsters from Swindon North Scouts attended a presentation, last week on May 17.

Alice Moore, Patricia Woods-Annan and Alex Knapp received their Gold Award certificates from celebrity presenter, David Carr.

Joanne Parker, who is the Duke of Edinburgh Leader at Swindon North Scouts, said: “Alice, Alex and Patricia have thoroughly deserved this huge achievement and it has been a journey for each of them.

“From travelling to Ireland to do their expedition and Iceland for their residential, they have all learnt so much along the way and developed in confidence and skills which will benefit them in the future when they go to university and within their workplace.

“Each one of the has had a positive impact on their local community by volunteering their time to Scouting and helping the next generation of young people develop.”

During the Gold Award Presentation, HRH The Earl of Wessex congratulated the group on their successes and heard about their journeys, which took 12 to 18 months of hard work.

Those who achieve a Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award will volunteer, learn a skill, get fit, take part in a week long residential and plan and undertake an expedition in wild country.

The programmes enable any young person aged 14 to 24 to develop key skills for life and work, such as team working.