TWO members of Teesside Boys' Brigade were given the chance to meet Professor Stephen Hawking at a garden party at Buckingham Palace.

Robert Russell and Matthew Jackson, who are both candidates for the brigade's highest award, the Queen's Badge, were invited to help arrange the Royal Society Garden Party.

The pair, who are both members of the 25th Teesside Boys' Brigade, based at New Marske, near Redcar, joined 20 other Queen's Badge holders at the event, where they were briefed on royal protocol and assigned a number of duties.

While Robert issued tickets and directed guests, Matthew helped wheelchair-bound guests and found himself pushing Professor Hawking around the palace grounds.

Although they did not meet the Queen, they did chat to Cherie Blair.

The brigade meets on Thursdays, in St Thomas Church Hall, in New Marske, at 6pm,