TEA and biscuits at Buckingham Palace was the order of the day for a young chap from Preston after scooping Gold in The Duke of Edinburgh Awards scheme.
And, slimline Derek Eccles, of Parlick Road, Ribbleton, has even more cause for celebration after losing six stone on a calorie controlled diet.
Derek, 22, joined around 2,000 people from across the country at the Royal Garden Party on Tuesday to receive his award from HRH Prince Phillip.
As a member of the Lancashire Army Cadet Force, Derek served as an adult instructor in the drum corps.
He also joined an expedition to the island of Crete, in Greece, two years ago, as well as an annual camp trip to Ripon, Yorkshire, the same year.
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article