MORE than 80 Boys' Brigade members have been awarded the Queen's Badge at a special ceremony in Blairgowrie Parish Church.

The service, which took place on Sunday, saw young people from Perth and Kinross, Stirlingshire, Dundee and Angus, Fife and Falkirk presented with the BB's highest recognition.

A variety of skills and objectives must be completed in order for the young people to receive the certificate, including a combined total of 7,158 hours of voluntary work.

Alan Hunter, a training and development officer at the Boys' Brigade, emphasised the value of the badge in building character.

He said: “Completion of the Queen’s Badge shows a high level of commitment and dedication, and an ability to work as part of a team, demonstrating leadership and relationship building skills – all skills which employers and universities welcome.”

The badge is the highest award that may be gained by a member of The Boys' Brigade and this year 470 young people from across Scotland have completed the award.

John Sharp, director of the Boys' Brigade, Scotland, added: “I am so proud of our young people in the BB who have gained their Queen’s Badge. They have displayed exceptional levels of dedication, diligence and their commitment to volunteering is simply inspiring."