Young people in Renfrewshire have contributed to more than 4,000 hours of volunteering which was recognised at the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

The event, the first of its kind, took place at the newly renovated Paisley Town Hall.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award is an internationally acknowledged personal development programme for individuals aged 14 to 25.

Youth Services, Renfrewshire Council’s youth work team supports the development of the programme, working with schools and groups.

The event drew in a crowd of more than 500 guests, including the Duke of Edinburgh Leaders, friends and family of the participants, and head teachers.

Lorraine Cameron, Renfrewshire Provost, said: "The Duke of Edinburgh Award prepares our young people for the future, helping them learn new skills, boost their confidence and make friends.

"The whole evening was presented by young people themselves and it was really motivational to hear just how much Duke of Edinburgh has meant to them and how they have developed through their personal experiences in taking part.”

Tiana Andrews, from the Foxbar Gold Open Group, said: "The Duke of Edinburgh programme has given me the confidence to take on challenges that I would never have thought I could do, and the confidence to keep trying when they don’t go right."

Councillor Marie McGurk, convenor of the Communities and Housing Policy Board, added: "I had the pleasure of attending the Gold Awards Celebration at Holyrood Palace last summer which was an inspirational event, but it was great to be able to come together in Paisley Town Hall with our own young people and Leaders and recognise them for the significant achievements being made at all levels of the award.

"I am very proud of their contributions to communities across Renfrewshire.”