JUAN Puyol from Great Sankey is going all the way to St James's Palace in London.

The 24-year-old from Hood Lane North overcame numerous obstacles to achieve a Duke of Edinburgh Gold award.

And he is now set to become one of the few people in the country to get a personal presentation from the Duke.

Former Woolston High School pupil Juan, has dyslexia and dyspraxia, which affects his balance and muscles.

His mum Karen, aged 54, who met husband Juan, 57, who works at David Lloyd Leisure Centre, on holiday in Spain, said: "He found it difficult meeting new people and I think doing the award has really helped him overcome that.

"It has helped his self-esteem and he is really excited about getting the award."

Karen, who is a child minder, said her son's tasks to get the award included studying orienteering, climbing, a five-day camping trip to Yorkshire, and work with disadvantaged children on a farm - which in total took three years of effort.

She said she was delighted when she heard he had got the award and said it was an honour' to be one of the people picked to go to London.

The awards are aimed at giving people aged between 14 and 25 new skills and self-esteem, as well as benefiting the community.

Juan is now hoping to get full time employment doing sports education with children. He gets the award on October 23.

nick.lakeman@guardiangrp.co.uk