Sixth formers from Abbey Gate College who have completed their Duke of Edinburgh gold award were invited to Buckingham Palace to mark 60 years of the scheme.

William Littlewood and Lucy Hopewell attended with headmistress Tracy Pollard and centre manager for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award at the school Chris Cutler.

Schools from East and West Cheshire were amongst 50 regional groups visited on the palace lawns by his Royal Highness the Earl of Wessex after being presented with a commemorative plaque by opera singer and guest presenter Natalie Coyle.

The Duke of Edinburgh and the Duchess of Wessex were also in attendance.

Chris Cutler said: “The college has delivered the award to 80 pupils at bronze, silver and gold level in 2016 and is proud of its involvement in the award. Over the last 16 years Abbey Gate College pupils have a completion rates of over 70% of those who took part. The DofE remains an extra-curricular subject that the school is highly committed to.”