GOLDEN girl Kirsty Readman is sporting a top award after rubbing shoulders with royalty during a trip to London.

The 26-year-old, from Kirk Merrington, received her gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award from Prince Philip at St James's Palace.

A former pupil of Spennymoor School, Ms Readman joined the award scheme, which is in its 50th year, while she was studying biology at Newcastle University.

She completed her award with the support of Durham County Council's education in the community service and linked with Newton Aycliffe Youth Centre's gold group.

Her final expedition was a trip to the Lake District - when she was the only female in a group of six . She continues to do voluntary work with the Spennymoor unit of St John Ambulance, which her mother, Lynda Aunger, runs.

She also completed a course in ceramics and pottery at Darlington Arts Centre, took up tai chi and improved her tennis with Durham Gilesgate Sports College and Sixth Form Centre tennis group.

Ms Readman said: "The day I received the award was lovely, Prince Philip was really friendly and had a good sense of humour, he had a good chat with me.

"Working on the award, you get to try new things, go new places, meet lots of nice people. I got a lot out of it.

"I'd say to anyone interested to give it a go."