Sixteen students have completed their gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

Lieutenant Governor Sir Richard Gozney presented badges to the successful youngsters in a ceremony held at Government House.

For the gold award, students had to complete 12 months’ of volunteering, a four-day expedition, a five-day residential stay, along with physical and skills sections.

DESC DofE Awards co-ordinator Alison Barnes said: ’The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award helps young people to acquire skills that are invaluable for university and the workplace.

’They practise teamwork, develop thinking skills, learn how to overcome challenges, push themselves to achieve goals and grow in confidence all the time.’

Students that gained their Gold award are: Alexander Armstrong, Seth Aycock, Oliver Barratt, Alex Callister, Toby Caulfield, Georgina Coates, Ciara Goddard, Erin Millar, Timothy Payne, Kirree Radcliffe, Jack Rowlands, Lara Stewart, Beatrice Taylor, Glenn Walker and Bradley Ward. Also pictured is Thomas Dutnall who earned gold in 2017.

Expeditions included sea kayaking off the Isle of Skye, and walking in the Mountains of Mourne in Northern Ireland.

Students completed a range of stays for the residential section, from building classrooms and teaching children in Ghana to a cadet camp at the Warcop Army training base in Cumbria.

More than 800 young people from the Island participate in the DofE award at any one time.

The Youth Service delivers the DofE Awards through secondary schools, voluntary youth organisations and independent groups. King William’s College, The Scout Association and the Air Training Corps also provide routes DofE Awards.