A group of determined school pupils became the first in the centre’s history to complete a Duke of Edinburgh challenge.

The team of 13 youngsters from Edith Borthwick School, Braintree, were working towards the Mencap Gateway Award scheme, an activity scheme for people with a learning disability.

However after demonstrating their commitment to the programme, staff at the school decided to change the scheme into the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze award.

MP for Braintree James Cleverly presented students with their awards.

A spokesman for the school said: “We were able to use all the evidence we had collected and just needed to organise an expedition. We are all so proud of their fabulous achievement.”