THE Earl and Countess of Wessex visited the North-East yesterday on one of their first full official engagements since they announced they would devote their time to Royal duties.

The couple were spending the day supporting the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme on Tyneside.

They watched pupils of Firfield School, in the Newcastle suburb of Blakelaw, being put through their paces under the instruction of former British Army officers.

The Skill Force project, which is part of the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, aims to give children ''at risk of being disaffected'' a better chance, according to team leader Steve Handford, a former captain with the Royal Fusiliers.

He said: ''They really want to better themselves. They work hard to build up their self-esteem and teamwork and that helps their job-seeking skills.''

The Countess was dressed in navy blue suit with grey trim, and her husband wore a charcoal grey double-breasted suit. They were introduced to 16-year-olds who had taken part in the scheme.

When the Royal couple arrived at Firfield School, which is due to merge with others this summer, a group of teenagers was waiting to greet them at the security gates. There was a warm welcome from the pupils inside the school for the Countess, who was on her first official visit to Tyneside.

They watched ten pupils receive their bronze Duke of Edinburgh Awards at a school assembly before the Prince made a short speech.

He encouraged pupils to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, saying that it gave him a broader experience of life than merely being taught.

''When I was at school it was never really academic lessons that inspired me.''