A young woman from Wisbech has risen to a challenge to achieve the highest award in Girlguiding.

Jessica Tolliday, 21, was presented with her Queen’s Guide Award at the House of Commons by chief Guide Valerie Le Vaillant, the organisation’s most senior volunteer.

Jessica took on a series of personal challenges to become one of about 150 Girlguiding members a year who are presented with the award.

Challenges have to be completed before they turn 26.

Jessica said: “By completing the Queen’s Guide Award I’ve proved to myself that I can do anything and not to let what people think stand in my way.

“I’m most proud of how confident I am now. I’m more involved with guiding at higher levels and helping to give girls the great experiences I had.”

Girlguiding’s Chief Guide Valerie Le Vaillant said: “It was an honour to present this inspirational group of Queen’s Guides with their awards. “To achieve the Queen’s Guide Award these young women have undergone personal challenges and participated in community services, outdoors expedition skills development, community action and residential adventures.

“They have taken positive action, both in their communities and further afield, and are a shining example for all that can be achieved through dedication and hard work.

“They should all be extremely proud of their achievements.”

Jessica, who is a Brownie leader in Bristol where she goes to university, took two and a half years to finish her challenges.

These included volunteering for a cat charity, gaining her camp licence so she could organise camping trips and learning carpentry skills by joining her university’s stage technicians society.