More than 100 young people from across Merton were presented with their Duke of Edinburgh Award certificates at Wimbledon College by the mayor of Merton, Councillor David Chung.

The event was hosted by Anais Mango and Katie Keane of Ursuline High School and featured young people telling the audience of parents and friends about their experience completing the award.

Recipients on the night were some of the 292 young people in Merton who have completed the scheme this year.

In order to receive the award, participants learnt skills such as debating, cooking and photography, played sport, and volunteered in the community – notching up no less than 5,000 hours of volunteering between them.

Participants are also required to embark on an expedition with destinations this year including Box Hill, Cumbria and the Brecon Beacons.

One recipient at the event on Thursday, April 28, Lillie Rodger, played and sang a song she had written about her experiences on the expedition.

Yvette Stanley, Merton’s director of schools, children and families, said: “I would like to congratulate all our young people for completing their Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

"By earning their gold, silver or bronze awards they have improved their prospects of finding work, applying for training or courses to further themselves as well as picking up new skills they can develop.”

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award was established by Prince Phillip in 1956, and is now carried out by young people in 144 countries across the world.