FORMER pupils from Yarm School have recently returned to collect their gold Duke of Edinburgh Award badges.

The 18 pupils have worked on a variety of challenges in order to complete the award, which they started at the school.

Susie Power spent her time between leaving school and university by teaching English in Patagonia.

Lucinda Bird travelled to the Canadian Rockies to train and qualify as a ski instructor.

Andrew Daynes, Kate Oldershaw, Hilary Boase, Susie Power, Lucinda Bird, Nick Robson, Richard Wood and Frances Walker completed the Devizes to Westminster Canoe Marathon - a course consisting of 125 miles of hard paddling and often referred to as the canoeist's Everest.

Yarm School teacher Peter Bailey said: "It takes a minimum of 18 months of commitment in several areas to achieve a Gold Award so gaining one is a very real measure of success.

"These young people have had experiences which they will remember for the rest of their lives."