A DATE with the Queen at Buckingham Palace capped a remarkable few months for a high-flying student with ambitions to train as a pilot.

Chris Stappard, 17, of Wolsingham, County Durham, received the highest Boys' Brigade award from the Queen at an official Royal Society of Arts ceremony.

The teenager achieved his gold badge after completing a series of tasks with the 2nd Consett Company of the Boys' Brigade, in north Durham, of which he has been a member for nine years.

Sporting success played a key part in his achievement. He has been Durham County schools 200 metres champion for four years and inter-county champion for three.

He played in the basketball team at Wolsingham School and Community College, which won the national under-19s championships in May, even though the team does not have a big enough gym to practise or play home games.

Chris, who lives near Tunstall Reservoir, in Weardale, said: "It was a brilliant day. I never ever thought I would get to meet the Queen.

"She chatted with us as a group and then with each of us individually. She was very interested in what we had done and came across as very humble."

Chris hopes to join the RAF and undergo training as a pilot when he leaves school next summer.