A PRESTON scout leader gained more than just a gold award in her Duke of Edinburgh challenge - she ended up with a husband and two children!

Michelle Iddon of Lostock Hall spent six years working towards the prestigious award and met husband Steven while on expedition in Austria.

Children Ashley, four, and ten-month-old Tiffany were born in between road tests, a ten-pin bowling course and an activity weekend in Newcastle.

Now Michelle, of the First Farington St Paul's Scout Troop, is off to Buckingham Palace to meet the Duke of Edinburgh at a presentation and garden party on July 29.

"Completing the award was a race against time as it has to be done before your 25th birthday," said Michelle: "I finished a few days before mine."

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