Some of this year's Duke of Edinburgh Award winners had only good things to say about the scheme and recommended that all young people pursue it.

Diarra Smith of Berkeley Institute said that many of his friends had become interested in the scheme once they saw his progress.

"Yes, most of my friends are interested and are starting to get into getting bronze and silver medals,'' the 16-year-old Youth to Youth volunteer said.

He added: "The best thing is that you help others even though you are helping yourself.'' Diarra, who studies ninjitsu and the clarinet, said he thought it would be interesting to learn how to help other people.

Berkeley's Melissa Grant said: "I felt it would be a good experience for me in my college applications.'' A pianist and a counsellor at a Christian Camp, she added that she knew it would be an excellent chance at self improvement and "it sounded like fun''.

Her school-mate Yannis Williams, from Southampton, also thought it would be good in preparation for college.

"I also thought it was something interesting to do,'' he said.

Yannis, a church volunteer and badminton player, said his parents supported his efforts.

And Natasha Rowling, 15, said she had been pursuing a Duke of Edinburgh Award for two years while mastering the piano, dance and volunteering as a candystriper.

"I would definitely recommend the scheme to everyone,'' she said.

Warwick Academy's Keiva Maronie said she enjoyed the experience and loved going through the programme with her friends.

Keiva volunteers as a candystriper and plays the cello.