Two Beccles boys have travelled to St James's Palace in London to receive their Duke of Edinburgh gold awards from HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.

Twins Findlay and Innes Hulse were in a group of 15 pupils from Gresham's School in Holt, who were invited to the palace on February 22.

Having completed bronze and silver, the boys embarked on a two-year programme for gold which included a mix of volunteering, specific skills acquisition, expedition planning and achievement, and a residential course away from home, which they did with Devon and Cornwall Police force.

Lifeguarding, rugby, sports coaching, hospital volunteering and army cadet force skills were all part of their chosen gold award curriculum, in addition to the expedition undertaken in the Yorkshire Dales.

The guest speaker at the ceremony was Olly Hicks, an adventurer and endurance athlete who's expeditions and voyages have taken him all over the world.

The Duke of Edinburgh during his address emphasised the value of such experiences and sense of achievement in future life and career choices, and tasked the award winners with encouraging others in their schools peer groups to take up the challenge.