A REDDITCH teenager has a date with royalty in July after striking gold with a national awards scheme.

Jenny Jones, 19, from Winyates East, last year completed her gold award course in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards scheme.

To mark her gold achievement, Miss Jones has been invited to a presentation and royal garden party at Buckingham Palace which will be attended by HRH Prince Philip.

Only youngsters who completed the gold award have been invited to the prestigious event which will take place on Tuesday, July 17.

To achieve the award, Miss Jones had to complete five sections - service, skills, physical recreation, expeditions and a residential project.

This involved an expedition to the Lake District, learning to drive, taking care of animals and carrying out a residential project at Birmingham PHAB camp.

Miss Jones was the first person from her school, Arrow Vale Community Sports College, to complete the award at gold level.