MONTHS of hard work and determination have paid off for a Blackpool student, in the form of a top Duke of Edinburgh award.

Sign language, canal rebuilding, first aid and a 50-mile trek counted among a host of skills that have earned the 19-year-old the prestigious gold medal.

Vicki Oldham, who completed the DofE course at Blackpool Sixth Form College, will travel to Edinburgh later this month to collect the award at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

She said: "The trek to Glencoe was the best week of my life. Despite all the pain, the expedition was fantastic."

Vicki completed five demanding sections set out by the scheme, which covered a range of skills and projects including the gruelling 50-mile trek through Scotland.

As she explained: "It took 18 months to complete the tasks, which included the expedition, where I had to cover 50 miles in four days carrying a heavy pack.

"I had such a good time and met lots of new friends."

Other categories were a residential project, when Vicki stayed in Wales for a week to clean out and rebuild the Montgomery canal, demonstrating a physical recreation skill, which in Vicki's case was swimming timed lengths of her local pool.

Another challenge was to learn a new skill, so Vicki took a night school course on sign language.

The final service section involved working with St John Ambulance, helping out at galas and other public events.

Vicki, who lives in Preesall, is currently taking a year out before attending Ripon Teacher Training College in York, where she is to study for lower primary.

She is working as a special support assistant at St John's Church of England School in Blackpool.

When asked how she felt now about the award she enthusiastically said: "I would recommend the scheme to anyone, I have thoroughly enjoyed it.

"It is an excellent way to make new friends and to really challenge yourself mentally and physically."

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