AN 18-YEAR-OLD from West Wickham is celebrating after receiving a top award from Prince Edward at St James’s Palace.

Christopher Morris has achieved the Duke of Edinburgh gold award, and the former pupil at Ravens Wood School in Bromley collected his certificate from the Earl of Wessex at the palace in London.

Mr Morris, who is now studying mechanical engineering at Warwick University, spent almost four years doing a variety of work in his community to achieve the award.

This included volunteering for charity and helping young members of the 8th West Wickham Scout Group, as well as a 50 mile five day trek across Brecon Beacons in Wales.

Mr Morris said: “The expeditions were physically testing, but meeting new people and challenging yourself to achieve new goals teaches you a lot about your personal strengths.”