Edward and Sophie meet the Somerset Chief, the Cricket Development Officer and Academy youngsters

Somerset Chief Executive Peter Anderson, Cricket Development Oficer Andrew Moulding and two youngsters from the Academy, Daniel Martin and Nat Price met Prince Edward and Sophie the Countess of Wessex this morning.

The party met the royal couple at the Trinity Foyer in Yeovil earlier today in recognition of Somerset County Cricket Club becoming the first of the eighteen first class county cricket clubs to become an access organisation for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.

Peter Anderson told me, "The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme was a wonderful innovation for young people when it was set up and using sport in general and cricket in particular to develop character building qualities is important for youngsters."

The Chief Executive continued,"Somerset County Cricket Club has a great interest in youth development in all it's forms and are pleased to be recognised by this official meting with the Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex."

Somerset Cricket Develoment Officer Andrew Moulding concluded, "We are the first county club to become an access organisation for the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and it is an honour to recognised in this way."

Anyone who is interested in finding out about how to access the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme through Somerset County Cricket Club should contact Andrew Moulding at the Centre of Excellence at the County Ground in Taunton, telephone 01823 352266.