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Three pupils at Wick High School have received certificates from  Highland and Islands Fire Brigade that will count towards attaining their Service Section of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. 

Acknowledging the S3-pupil's three months of activities and learning with the Fire Brigade, Wick Station Officer, Gordon Cook yesterday presented Ricky Ross, Graham Shepherd and Lee Gunn with their Fire Certificates and commended them on completing their sessions at Wick Fire Station, the Ambulance Service and at Wick Airport Fire Service.

During their visits to the fire station, ambulance service and airport fire service, the pupils learned how the emergency services respond to, and what their role is in a fire situation.

The three Wick pupils together with others in their group are working towards their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh's Award through the Highland New Opportunities Fund Activities Programme which was created to enable more young people to gain access to the Award scheme.

Development Officer, Diane Gibson at the NOF Wick High School Group of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award said: "In Caithness, we are very committed to extending the reach of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award to give every young person a chance to develop individual skills that will serve them well in today's society."

The Highland New Opportunities Fund Activities Programme extends the reach of the Award to young people who are not normally aware of the challenge that the Award can offer them. The funding enables part-time staff to work directly with the young people and guide them in the early stages of their Award.

At present The Highland Council has 23 schools operating the Duke of Edinburgh's Award directly with their pupils, 3,000 of whom are participating in the Award in Highland.