A Cockermouth woman who was inspired to complete a Duke of Edinburgh gold award after watching a documentary has been to Buckingham Palace to collect her certificate.

Nicola Cain, 25, who worked at Embleton Spa Hotel, began working towards the award at the age of 23, having not previously done the bronze or silver award.

She attended the presentation event with her partner Scott Hodgson.

She was part of a group hosted by Richard Madeley, who handed out the certificates, and got to meet HRH the Earl of Wessex, who asked about her experience of getting the award.

Nicola said: "Richard Madeley told us different stories from his own career and we were able to ask him questions, and then the moment came when Prince Edward came to our group.

"He asked us questions about how we got our award and where we were all from and if we enjoyed doing it.

"We wandered about the gardens getting pictures and then made our way out."

She is pleased that she took on the challenge of gaining the award, which she completed online.

Nicola said: "I watched the show When Phillip Met Prince Philip: 60 Years of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and it inspired me to do the award seeing the amazing things that people had done to achieve this and how much they enjoyed it.

"The Duke of Edinburgh Award was an amazing experience and I would recommend any young person to do it.

"I started my award at 23 and i didn't have my bronze or silver award.

"I have meet lots of different people and made lots of friends on the way."

Yes, scott hodgson is my partner. the other girl in the picture is helen petty she is someone i did one of my expeditions with, she is from manchester and we got the same date for the palace.