CIVIL servant Andrew Miles has a date at St James's Palace next month, but his invitation is 12 years overdue!

The 31-year-old completed his Duke of Edinburgh gold award as a teenager in 1990 but due to "administrative difficulties" his finished booklet detailing the project was lost.

After many attempts to retrieve the booklet, and even filling in a second one which was also lost, Andrew will finally be presented with his certificate in a ceremony attended by HRH Prince Philip on November 27.

Former Parrenthorn High School pupil, Andrew, who did much of his voluntary work at Broughton House Disabled Ex-Servicemen's Home, said: "I passed everything while in the army cadet force, then in 1988 I joined the forces. After leaving the Royal Signals in 1990 I did my expedition and filled in the booklet. Unfortunately the army cadet force lost the booklet."

Andrew, whose parents live in Egerton Street, Prestwich, said that he brought up the subject of his award at every Remembrance Day Parade he attended when he bumped into the officers, until eventually he filled in a second booklet in 1993.

"Then that one was lost," he added, "and I just forgot about it. I have the certificates for my bronze and silver awards but I know I passed my gold even though I hadn't got the piece of paper to prove it."

What made matters worse was Andrew's pal, David Tilsley-Curtis, had undertaken the course with him and it became a standing joke between the two that he had a certificate and Andrew didn't.

Despite being a niggle in the back of Andrew's mind it wasn't until he had to do an e-mail course at work earlier this year that he was introduced to the internet.

He looked up the Duke of Edinburgh Course website and made some enquiries which resulted in him receiving his gold badge through the post.

"I am looking forward to going to London," said Andrew. "It will be a nice day out for my mum and dad. They are pleased as punch for me."