A FORMER Hereford Cathedral School pupil has been awarded a gold Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Isabella Honeyborne, aged 23, from Pudleston, near Leominster, trekked 50 miles in the Lake District and carried out 60 hours of voluntary work at the British Heart Foundation in Hereford as part of the challenge.

She collected the award with her father from the Palace in the company of the Duke of Edinburgh on June 14. The rigorous challenge, which Isabella began when she was 18-years-old, also involved a week-long adventure course at Dyfed Wildlife Park, where she helped make cages for animals and took part in hay bailing. She also played tennis.

Isabella, who is a scientist, now carries out research and development for Smith and Nephew in York.