A TEENAGER has followed in the footsteps of his mum and grandfather in gaining the highest award in the Boys' Brigade.

Euan Strathie, 17, a member of the 12th Greenock BB at Wellpark Mid Kirk, is one of 10 young people in Inverclyde to receive the honour, and who will be the last group to receive a Queen's Badge.

All boys and girls from now on will work towards the King's Badge.

(Image: Duncan Bryceland)

Modest Euan said: "It's a special year because it is the last year of the Queen's Badge and I am glad that I have carried on the family tradition.

"I've been in the Boys' Brigade since I was in P1 and I've kept those friends over those years. I've enjoyed the friendships I've made."

Euan's grandfather, Graham Kirkwood, gained his Queen's Badge back in 1965, when he was a member of 1st Greenock Boys Brigade.

And mum Gillian, 47, who is a former captain with the Girls' Brigade, said: "I gained my badge back in 1997. I was in the 2nd Greenock Girls' Brigade in Westburn Church.

"It's quite an achievement to get. You have to put a lot of hard work in to get it, but it's a good thing to have.

"It shows employers you can achieve and teaches you skills -it's good life experience.

"We are all so proud of Euan and all his friends."

(Image: Duncan Bryceland)

Euan lives in Kenmore Drive in Greenock, with dad Andy, mum Gillian and younger sister Ailiedh, 13, who was also a Girls' Brigade member before her company closed after Covid.

The Clydeview Academy pupil had to complete a total of 90 hours work to achieve the award.

This included 30 hours volunteering in the community, which he did with his dad at the gardening project Blooming Inverkip, as well as 30 hours learning technical skills, for which he studied metal work and soldering, and 30 hours of physical exercise, which he did at an after-school badminton club.

The youngster and his fellow BB pals also had to work towards a President's Badge first.

To gain his badge Euan also helped out with the Anchor Section and completed a two-day residential course at BB headquarters at Carronvale House in Stirlingshire.

Euan received the award, along with nine others, from across eight battalion companies at Greenock Town Hall last week.

They were presented with their badges by the Lord Lieutenant of Renfrewshire, Colonel Peter McCarthy, with music provided at the ceremony by the Stedfast Silver Band.

He said: "Everyone is really excited for me."