A STAGGERING 541 young people from Bexley this month received their Duke of Edinburgh awards from the Mayor of Bexley.

So many youngsters earnt the award, that two separate presentation ceremonies were staged.

Two of Bexley’s Olympic torch bearers, Dawn Saunders and Charlotte Lock, opened and lit up the celebratory evening on November 15.

The young people received their awards for taking part in 18-months of learning new skills, voluntary work and a five-day expedition.

To showcase these achievements, the audience was shown a video presentation of the youngsters participating in the various activities.

The Mayor of Bexley, Councillor Alan Downing, said: “To present Duke of Edinburgh Awards to so many young people of Bexley was a real pleasure for me.”