A TEENAGER from Rossendale met Prince Edward after collecting her bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh awards.

Sophie Moss, from Alder Grange Community, Technology School in Rawtenstall, said the encounter at St James’ Palace was nerve-racking.

Sophie, 19, who was the first student at her school to earn all the awards, said: “Prince Edward spoke to each of the Duke of Edinburgh award winners when he gave us our awards and talked to me as I was the only one in my north west group to have bronze to gold.

“It was nerve-racking as we had to address him correctly as Sir or Prince, remember to speak politely at all times and talk about our Duke of Edinburgh experiences.

“I am very proud and proud to do it at Alder Grange.”

Sophie, from Rawtenstall, began the awards under teacher Maggie Wilcox, who has since retired, and earned her bronze when she was 14, her silver at 17 and then gold this year.

She said: “I had to carry out tasks in the physical, skill, volunteer and residential categories which included canoeing, football, basketball, volunteering at after-school clubs, working in a local hotel voluntarily and, the one I enjoyed most, cooking.

“I studying BTEC Level Three in Hospitality and Catering and hope to go on to university and be a food technology teacher.”