YOUNG people from the region will be visiting London next month to collect their gold Duke of Edinburgh awards.
The youngsters will be among 800 from across the UK who will meet Prince Philip at St James's Palace.
Each gold award winner has spent 18 months working on projects in the UK and overseas.
Many have worked with the elderly, sick or those with disabilities, while others have tackled conservation and restoration projects.
Among those attending the ceremony will be 18-year-old Belinda Wilson, of Piercebridge, Darlington.
Among other challenges, she completed a two-week Spanish language course to help her gain her award.
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