HUNDREDS of young people in Inverclyde are benefiting from the late Prince Philip's legacy every single year.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme has been put in the spotlight after the the Prince's death at the age of 99 earlier this month.

Inverclyde's DoE group is in the top five in Scotland in terms of the numbers of people participating in the scheme.

Patrick Devlin, 29, assistant co-ordinator, who met the Duke at Holyrood Palace, said: "It was sad news about his passing.

"In Inverclyde the award scheme has always been popular and pupils in every school have an opportunity to take part.

"Pre-Covid, we were recruiting from third year in all schools and we usually get between 350 and 450 taking part each year.

"Over the last five or six years we have been in the top five in Scotland, which is remarkable for a small authority."

Patrick went through all the awards himself to reach gold level, presented to him by the Duke himself.

He said: "He was very friendly, making jokes about the Duke of Edinburgh Award and tried to gather where everyone came from.

"He made everyone feel very welcome and was genuinely interested in what people had done to gain the award."

One thing that makes Inverclyde DoE scheme unique is the fact that all expeditions are free.

Patrick said: "We have a voluntary support group who fundraise and we get support from Inverclyde Council, who pay for transport and staff.

"It is a very well-run system."

Young people can work towards three awards - bronze, silver and gold - and they participate in a mixture of physical activity, skills and volunteering.

Leader Christina Owen, who is a design and technology teacher at St Columba's, said: "I started the Duke of Edinburgh Award when I was 13 or 14 and made my way up to gold.

"I made strong friendships and it helped to build my confidence.

"When I was 17 I worked with the Community Learning & Development Team full time and then part-time, and linked it into my work as a teacher.

"The scheme helped me a lot with my teaching and to build relationships with young people.

"It's great to see young people's confidence grow and see them move up and develop different skills.

"I think all the publicity surrounding the Duke's death will make the award scheme even more popular.

"It is the legacy he's left."

Jan Spence, 51, secretary of the branch, says the award is valued highly by employers and is a good addition to anyone's CV.

She said: "It is something that you do independently, not forced upon you by your school or parents."

Jan also met the Duke several times and got chatting to him when she took a group to receive their award.

She said: "He was quite funny.

"In the days when I received my award you had to wear a dress, a hat and gloves.

"He asked where I'd received mine and I told him Holyrood and that I didn't enjoy it because I had to get dressed up, but my mother was delighted to go.

"He said 'sometimes we have to do things for the mothers!'

"He was really good at engaging with the young people as well."

Jan says that Inverclyde DoE is open to anyone aged up to 25 and some people take part though youth organisations.

She said: "Pupils from Craigmarloch and Lomond View, pupils with additional support needs and those in mainstream schools with additional support needs also have the opportunity to get involved, so it is open to all young people."