FORMER pupil Kathryn Vellacott has become the first to complete her Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award while still at West Somerset Community College.

Previous successful candidates carried the work through to their universities or FE colleges.

But Kathryn, from Dulverton, reached the target before leaving school, and is now reading accountancy and finance at De Montfort University in Leicester.

To achieve the award, Kathryn undertook a 50-mile expedition on foot in the Peak District after training on the Brecon Beacons.

The expedition lasted four days and involved carrying her own equipment food and clothing.

She said: "I found the award challenging and a lot of fun. I have made lifelong friends and would like to thank all the award leaders for their help and support."

The school's Duke of Edinburgh co-ordinator, Tim Griffin, said: "This is an outstanding achievement showing a really high level of personal motivation and commitment."

Kathryn is now waiting to hear when she will be going to Buckingham Palace for the formal presentation of her award.

She is pictured with Mr Griffin, on the left, and college principal Nick Swann.

The Gold Award is open to young people aged 16 to 25 who have to fulfil four requirements concerned with Service, skills, physical recreation and expeditions

This summer, for the first time, current Gold Award participants at West Somerset Community College hope to complete an expedition in the French Pyrenees.