TWO sisters who attended Arnold School in Blackpool have just received their Duke of Edinburgh gold awards in a ceremony held at St James' Palace in London.

Andrea and Claire Whitehead, of South Holme, Lytham, completed their bronze, silver and gold awards while they were pupils at Arnold and recently travelled to the capital to receive their award from HRH Prince Philip.

Claire, 21, is a former head girl and is in her final year reading physics at Cambridge. Andrea, 19, is a first-year medical student at Newcastle University. When Claire completed her gold she decided to wait to for her sister to do the same before claiming the award so that they could attend the presentation together. Bill Gillen, principal of Arnold School, said Claire and Andrea, pictured here left to right, are united by a love of music, which they combined with a range of services, skills, expeditions and recreation over the years to reach the gold standard.

He said: "How appropriate that these two talented sisters should receive their awards together. They were outstanding pupils both in and out of the classroom who contributed much to the life of Arnold School. They embody the spirit of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme which develops skills of leadership, teamwork and enthusiastic determination to achieve a goal. It is a movement we support and encourage, and both Claire and Andrea are to be congratulated on their outstanding achievements."