A SCOUT from Crudwell has received two highly sought after awards.

Niall Wiggins, 17, recently collected his Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award during a ceremony at St James’s Palace after achieving Scouting’s highest honour, the Queen’s Scout Award, in December last year.

Having lived in Crudwell his whole life Niall has been involved with the Scouts there since he was five years old and plans to continue with the group as a leader.

Niall said that he did not seek out attention but was happy to receive his Duke of Edinburgh Gold at the palace.

He said: “I don’t care for attention – it was more for my Mum.

“I spoke to Prince Philip but I was standing in the back row and never expected it. He asked me about what service I did and for some strange reason my mind went completely blank.”

His mother Sarah Wiggins, 53, said that she was amazed by the palace and the way that Prince Philip walked around the room and chatted with the award winners.

She said: “I think that considering that he was 93 the way he walked through the room was amazing. There were about 300 young people at this presentation as well as their parents.”

Despite mishaps including a dislocated kneecap two days before an important Duke of Edinburgh expedition and a hike which saw him nearly admitted to hospital after being bitten by 19 ticks Niall has persevered to earn two huge awards.

Niall is now an apprentice at First Great Western, which has been his dream career since childhood.

He said that he hopes to find time to continue working with the Scout group in Crudwell to inspire a new generation.

He added: “I want to give back to the whole of the Scouts. It’s a great thing and I’ve been there through all of it.”

Niall has also been invited to take part in a parade at Windsor Castle in April and will be purchasing a new uniform for the occasion.