A TEENAGER has done what no other boy from the 16th Bromley Boy's Brigade has managed for 20 years: he has been awarded the President's Badge.

It has taken Richard Cooper nearly seven years of hard work to obtain this award.

The 18-year-old from Petts Wood joined the brigade at the age of six and is currently studying for three A levels at Eltham Collage, Mottingham.

Richard, who also boasts a Duke of Edinburgh Bronze medal, had to prove himself in five different aspects - leadership, community, adventure, interests, and physical - to qualify for the award.

He then had to attend a Brigade Leadership course.

The badge was presented by Rev Julian Thomas, the Brigade Chaplain and Minister of Christ Church, Petts Wood where the 16th Bromley is based.

He said: "The tasks are designed to be interesting and relevant such as car maintenance, First Aid and crime prevention."

Richard wants to be an electronic engineer and hopes to study at Sheffield University.

Mr Geoffrey Evans, the Officer in Charge of the company said the reason it has been so long since the badge was last awarded is: "Boys don't stay the course." The company has only 16 members which Mr Evans said reflects: "That there is so much on offer to children these days.

"The Brigade is always looking at ways of updating and keeping the badge work relevant."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000.Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.