YOUNG people in Blackburn with Darwen have helped make it the most successful year ever for the Duke of Edinburgh's Awards in the borough.

More than 100 youngsters aged 14 to 25 have climbed mountains, trekked through the countryside and taken part in a wide variety of projects.

Councillor Dave Hollings, executive member for education and lifelong learning said: "The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is a fantastic opportunity for young people to mix with other young people from different backgrounds, cultures and faiths whom they might never otherwise meet and to develop new skills, interests and strengths in themselves."

This year 75 Bronze Awards, 25 Silver and 19 Gold Awards will be presented to schools including Darwen Vale High School, Beardwood High School, Pleckgate High School, St Wilfrid's C of E High School and Technology College, Darwen Moorland, St Bede's RC High School, Westholme, St Mary's College, Blackburn College and the Roshnaai youth group, based at Bangor Street Community Centre.