AN extraordinary Bolton schoolboy has been honoured with a British Citizen Youth Award, one of just 25 young people to be awarded the prestigious medal for their inspirational endeavours.

And although the coronavirus pandemic meant he was unable to attend a glittering ceremony ­— he still received the star-studded treatment, with congratulation messages from well known personalities including pop stars.

Montgomery Lord, a pupil at St Joseph's RC High School in Horwich, has been recognised for his voluntary work within the community and helping raise awareness of, and make a difference to, national and international issues.

The 15-year-old said: ""The funny thing is, I had just sat down in my maths lesson and started to do some circle theorems. I had seen that a couple of maths teachers

had been working on the projector, so I thought they were just going to show us a video. Then suddenly i heard a voiceover of the man from the X Factor calling out my name at the start of the presentation video. I was totally shocked. The messages were very heart-warming. It was as much as a surprise as the award was itself."

Each Medal of Honour bears the words ‘For the Good of the Country’ and are presented to only a small number of exceptional young individuals annually.

The British Citizen Youth Award (BCyA) is widely viewed as the nation’s way of recognising extraordinary, everyday young people for exceptional endeavour.

Know as Monty, the teenager was instrumental in setting up the UK charity Young Active Minds, through his role as an ambassador she shares fun and new effective learning techniques with other young people.

Only last year, he penned at 55,000 word thesis based on research on the impact of using technology before bedtime and this year, he conducted another ground-breaking piece of research into the effects of coronavirus isolation on the mental health and wellbeing of children, young people and their families and friends.

The results were shared with children and adults mental health services digital at the University of Manchester and Monty presented his findings during a NHS England webinar.

The current coronavirus pandemic meant Monty was unable to attend the grant medal presentation ceremony at The Palace of Westminster, the first time in history the ceremony has had to be cancelled.

Instead a special ceremony took place at his school, in which Monty was presented with the award by Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester Saeed Atcha, a former Bolton schoolboy. However, as soon as it is safe to do so, Monty will join other recipients at a special celebration at the House of Lords.

Messages of support were sent via video from well-known TV personalities Michael Underwood, Matt Allwright, Tim Vincent, pop superstar Kimberly Walsh of the Pussycat Dolls, and popular comedian, actor and Patron of the British Citizen Youth Award Bradley Walsh. There was also a message from Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester and Bolton Mayor Cllr Linda Thomas.

Co-Founder of The British Citizen Youth Award, Mike Faulkner said: “Whilst it is bitterly disappointing not be able to present Montgomery’s medal in person, we are determined to recognise all Medalists for their exceptional endeavours. They will still have the full British Citizen Youth Award experience when we can safely gather indoors in larger numbers.

“The 25 medalists represent all that is good about young people today. Their commitment to others and to making society better for everyone, was the driving force for us to unite them with their medals at the earliest opportunity. Whilst some recognition programmes are regarded as elitist, the BCyA remains accessible to everyone and welcomes nominations year-round. By highlighting the commitment of young people like Montgomery we aim to make positive impact in the community the norm rather than the exception."