History has been made as a female member of the Paisley & District Boys’ Brigade was awarded the President’s Badge for the first time.

Ava Livingston wrote her name in the Boys’ Brigade history books when she became Paisley & District’s first female recipient of the prestigious award - the second highest prize offered by the organisation.

Ava was one of 18 young members to receive awards during an event ceremony at Freeland Church in Bridge of Weir.

Ava with Jacki Smart and the other award winnersAva with Jacki Smart and the other award winners (Image: Supplied)

Present on the night was Jacki Smart, chief executive of Accord Hospice, who described Ava as a “trailblazer,” and thanked Boys’ Brigade members for all the hard work and volunteering they had carried for the hospice.

“Without the contribution of our volunteers we would not be able to offer the services to our community,” she said, before challenging the awardees to become “the first to achieve the new King’s Badge within the next two years - which will include a lot more volunteering.”

A spokesman for The Boys' Brigade said: “It is important to acknowledge all these young men and women for the work and hours they have given freely to our communities, and to give encouragement to all of them in their efforts to gain the King's Badge.

“It is also good to see Ava gaining such an award - a sign of changing times in The Boys' Brigade.”