A HIGH-ACHIEVING student has added a prestigious award to her growing reputation.

Sophie de Lima, of Rokeby Gardens in Woodford Green, collected her Gold Award in the Duke of Edinburgh scheme at a ceremony at St James's Palace in central London on Wednesday.

The 22-year-old Leeds University law student flew home from Uppsala in Sweden, where she is currently spending a year with the ERASMUS foreign exchange programme, for the presentation.

Former Woodford County High pupil Sophie spent two years completing different stages of the award and endured a series of demanding tasks along the way.

She said: “It's been really challenging to get everything done but it was worth it. I was really proud when I got the award for all my hard work.

“A real highlight was in 2006 when I went to Belise in South America. I also spent a week in the Norfolk Downs, which was really great.”