A LYTHAM student is soon to go on a right royal visit following five years work on the Duke of Edinburgh scheme.

Alexandra Ashworth, 19, a former King Edward VII and Queen Mary school pupil, will travel to Buckingham Palace in May to collect a gold award.

Alexandra qualified for gold by taking part in an expedition to the Isle of Skye and achieving grade 8 in flute -- the highest grade attainable in the schools section.

In the physical section Alexandra did Scottish country dancing and in the service section carried out various fund-raising projects for the Redwing horse sanctuary near Preston. Her efforts won compliments from awards officer Charles Hill, who said: "This is a fine achievement -- to win gold you have to be highly committed for several years and everyone at the school is delighted with Alex's success."

School principal Julian Wilde said Alexandra was one of several students to win awards under the scheme and added: "What is especially impressive about Alex's achievement is the breadth of her interests. The expedition to the Isle of Skye was interesting and challenging and to achieve grade 8 in the flute is a very special skill."

Alex herself is overwhelmed with the recognition and can't wait until May for the trip to London: "I'm very much looking forward to my visit to London. At present I am awaiting an invitation from the Duke and it will be good to meet other gold award winners from all over the country -- it should be a very exciting day."

Pictured are the winners: From left, Jane Oakley (bronze), Angela Wilkinson (bronze), Charles Hill, Richard Cole (bronze), and Alexandra (gold).

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