A FORMER pupil has earned himself the top Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme prize.

Michael Almond, from South Kilvington, near Thirsk, was among 800 young people from all over Britain attending the Gold award presentation at St James' Palace, London.

Each recipient gained the gold award by taking up a wide choice of activities over 18 months.

He undertook his activities through Yarm School to qualify in the service, expeditions, skills and physical recreation sections of the award.

Michael, a member of the Combined Cadet Force, reached the rank of Flight Sergeant and attained marksmanship standard through the cadets in shooting skills.

His expedition was to Guyana, South America, where he took part in an 11-day trek though the jungle and Savannah. To qualify for the sports section of the award he took part in a canoe race from Devizes to Westminster.

He said: "I stayed at a place called Monkey Mountain in Guyana and the local Amar Indians were amazed when we gave the children bright coloured notebooks.

"After the canoe race, the feeling when passing the Westminster Bridge was one that I will never be able to repeat. The whole Duke of Edinburgh experience, including the presentation was one I thoroughly enjoyed.