Girl guiding UK’s top accolade, the coveted Queen’s Guide Award, has been presented to Vicki Noble of Kendal.

Ms Noble, 24, received the award from Baroness Judith Wilcox and Girlguiding UK’s Chief Guide Gill Slocombe at a special ceremony held at the House of Lords.

The award sees participants take the lead in a number of areas including developing a personal skill, working within pioneering community action projects, and overseeing ambitious outdoor pursuits.

Vicki, who is a Brownie Leader, said: “I am so grateful for all the skills and life lessons guiding has taught me as without it I wouldn’t be the person I am today.

“I have always known that I wanted to become a primary school teacher but I didn’t realise how important guiding would be in that decision. Having the Queen’s Guide Award on my CV helped my employers to decide that I was the person for the job.”

Her Queen’s Guide achievements included organising a holiday for her Brownie group, an expedition to Manchester including tubing in a snow dome, and helping to produce a float for the Kendal Torchlight Carnival.

The Queen’s Guide Award is the most prestigious guiding award open to 16 to 25-year-olds.