NORTH YORKSHIRE County Council's education service has been given a "royal seal of approval" - by once again being presented with the operating licence for the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

It was handed over to Cynthia Welbourn, North Yorkshire's director of education, by Vice-Admiral Michael Gretton, the director of the award, at a ceremony at County Hall, Northallerton.

Miss Welbourn said: "I'm proud that North Yorkshire's education service is the most successful Duke of Edinburgh Award operator in the north-east. We have achieved the most new entrants and the most awards gained annually at all levels for several years.

"The credit for this success goes to the individual unit leaders and their support helpers in school and youth organisations right across the county. We support that dedication with a small administrative team in County Hall who keep the flow of record books going and maintain the necessary records."

Vice-Admiral Gretton said: "North Yorkshire is an outstanding example of how combined effort and enthusiasm can make a significant contribution to the lives of many young people."

There are now almost 80 schools and youth organisations which run the award in North Yorkshire. In the past four years 5,000 new young people have joined the scheme. During the same time 3,800 have gained awards at bronze, silver and gold levels.

Updated: 09:33 Thursday, April 24, 2003