TEESSIDE youngsters will be among the 2,000 people from all over the country being presented with Duke of Edinburgh's gold awards this month.

Judith Braddy and Helen White, both 19, from Linthorpe, will receive their awards from celebrities during a ceremony at Buckingham Palace next Tuesday.

Along with the other award recipients, they will attend the Royal Garden Party being held by HRH Prince Philip.

For more than 40 years, the scheme has challenged young people to try new things, learn more about themselves and work for the community.

Each of the three levels - bronze, silver and gold, has four sections; service, skills, physical recreation and expeditions, with gold also involving a residential project.

To gain her award, Judith worked at the Riding for the Disabled Centre, trained dogs, travelled to Iceland, played badminton, and worked at a children's activity centre on the Isle of Man.

Helen also played badminton, went to Iceland and worked at the children's activity centre as well as working in a primary school and undertaking a technology course.