A pair of teenage twins were recognised for their role in tackling gang culture in the capital.

Deborah and Dorcas Kabongo, 14, received the 45,000th Diana Award at a ceremony at 11 Downing Street on Monday night.

Their campaign highlights the importance of early intervention and tackling key issues at the root of gang culture, in particular the role of young women and girls in gang-related crime.

“We were truly speechless when we found out that we’d been chosen to receive the award,” said the identical twins, who started the campaign with seven others at St Angela’s Ursuline School in Forest Gate as part of the Diana Award mentoring programme.

“We feel utterly honoured - it will only spur us on to do more to help others and tackle issues that matter to other young people in our community.”

The lifetime award was set up in memory of Princess Diana and is supported by her sons Princes William and Harry. It celebrates young people who have had a monumental impact on the lives of others.

Visit diana-award.org.uk for more information about the awards.