A DEDICATED mature Girl Guide has been rewarded for her efforts by being given the highest possible accolade for the movement.

Kate Vale, formerly of Bath Road, Worcester, worked hard for three years to gain the Queen's Guide Award, which is a reflection of her involvement in a wide range of activities.

The scheme involved her working with visually impaired people, learning to scuba dive, planning an activity day for 150 Brownies, and teaching in Thailand.

Kate, aged 26, who now lives in Surrey, joined the 11th Worcester St Mark's Church Brownies at the age of seven before going on to join the 7th Worcester Nunnery Wood Girl Guides.

She went back to the Brownies at the age of 18 to become a leader and has never looked back.

The former Cherry Orchard and Nunnery Wood pupil, who is now a senior podiatrist, said: "The Brownies and Girl Guides has opened many doors for me and enabled me to do things I would not have done otherwise.

"I have made a lot of friends and met a lot of lovely people and I would certainly recommend it to other people. As a leader, it is very rewarding to see girls develop and to help them in the journey that is life."

Kate is set to receive the prestigious honour from the Countess of Wessex at a ceremony in London on Wednesday, March 22.

She added: "It is such an honour and I had a great time doing it."

Her mum Jan said she was delighted: "I realise how hard Kate's worked for this - she's very much into Guiding and I'm thrilled for her."

Now Kate has her sights set on raising £1,650 for her next challenge with the Guides - a trip to Canada for a community project in July.