The hard work and dedication of a Lowestoft man has been recognised with the highest youth achievement award in Scouting.

At a special presentation held on Oulton Broad, Ross Richardson received the Lowestoft division's first Queen's Scout Award for more than a decade. And next Sunday he will join other recipients from across Britain at the 2012 National Scout Service and St George's Day Parade at Windsor Castle.

The award was presented to 24-year-old Ross by Jenny Mullan, the County Commissioner for Suffolk, as his fellow members of the Lowestoft Explorers District Division sat in their canoes and kayaks.

She told him: 'It takes hard work, dedication and commitment to gain this award – and the Queen's Scout Award is valued above everything else, so well done.'

Described as 'the culmination of everything you can achieve in Scouting', the Queen's Scout Award can only be earned by those who have been a member of Explorer Scouts or the Scout Network or both for at least 18 months.

Ross, of Kimberley Road, who also has the Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award, said: 'I have been an Explorer leader for six years. I joined the Explorers when I was 16 and enjoyed it so much that I wanted to stay on.'

Next Sunday the award winners will parade through Windsor Castle to The Quadrangle where they will be reviewed by The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh.

Lawrence Chapman, District Explorer Scout Commissioner (Lowestoft), received his own Queen's Scout Award in 1988. Both he and Ross will be paddling down the River Thames in June as part of the Jubilee celebrations.

mark.boggis@archant.co.uk