EIGHT young people from the Fylde struck gold when they visited Buckingham Palace.

They were all winners of the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, the top honour for achievement in community service, expeditions, skills and physical recreation.

Blackpool Sixth Form College students Karen Banner, Andrew Bottomley, Gillian Fielding and Christopher Redburn, and Angela Richardson, of the technical support staff, all received their medals.

Kirkham Carr Hill High School student Kathryn Barnett, Michelle Nelson from the Fylde Award Team and Joanne Ingham from the Stanley Park-based Windmill Group were also honoured in the ceremony held every year in the grounds of Buckingham Palace.

The Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Edward shook their hands, and also met George Holden, Blackpool's youth and community service manager, Councillor Allan Matthews, chair of Blackpool youth and community service sub-committee, and youth worker Philip Gooden.

Mr Holden said: "It was a marvellous day, the youngsters met a host of celebrities, including Frank Bruno, Bruce Forsyth, Terry Waite and Barry Norman.

"Prince Edward told me he had visited Blackpool many times because of his theatrical connections, and he liked it very much.

"He was also asking Councillor Matthews about Blackpool Council's transition to a unitary authority and how it would affect youth services. He seemed genuinely interested in the area."

The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme is open to anyone aged 14 to 25.

More details are available from the youth and community service office, on Blackpool 696841.

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