TWO young people who have recently achieved the Duke of Edinburgh's Gold Award will meet royalty this month.

Matthew Johnson, 20, of Abbey Meads, and Susan Offler, 25, of Covingham, will be going to St James's Palace in two weeks to receive their awards from the Duke of Edinburgh.

They will be joined by about 100 other people from across the West Country who have also achieved the gold standard.

The award is achieved by undertaking various physical and community-based activities over a period of at least 18 months.

Matthew, a student at Ply-mouth University, took part in a one-month expedition to Bolivia, where he was involved in construction projects and also did two four-day treks.

For the skills section, he took up Spanish and has now been learning it for 18 months.

He also went to the Lake District and helped at children's activity days.

Many people work with children, the elderly, the sick or the disabled while others tackle conservation, restoration and photographic projects.

Prince Philip will be hosting the royal presentation as patron of the award.

A variety of famous faces will also be there to celebrate the young people's achievements including Anthony Worrall-Thompson, Alan Titchmarsh and TV wildlife presenter Nick Baker.

Vice-Admiral Michael Gretton, director of the award, said: "To have gained a gold award is a great accomplishment."

"The skills and qualities all these young people have developed will help them stand on their own two feet and prepare them to be good citizens of the future."