STUDENTS from a Dorset school paid a visit to Buckingham Palace to collect their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

More than 60 youngsters from The Gryphon School in Sherborne were in the capital to receive their accolades.

The north Dorset school had the highest number of students with the award in the Dorset Council region.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award is a youth awards programme founded in 1956 by the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, which recognises young people for completing a series of exercises. 

To achieve the Gold Award, students must complete a number of sections over 12-18 months, including physical, skills, volunteering, an expedition and a residential trip.

Only once they have completed all of these can they achieve their Gold Award which is awarded every summer at Buckingham Palace. 

Geoff Cooke, Duke of Edinburgh programme leader at The Gryphon School, said: "We are proud of all our students who take up DofE challenge. 

"The leaders take great pride in seeing our Gold students at Buckingham Palace after they have worked with them for 4 to 5 years so that they can achieve this.

"The Gold award is an incredible achievement so congratulations to all of them."