The 24-year-old received the award from BBC newsreader Kate Silverton in London on April 24. Becoming a Queen’s Guide is the highest honour for any guide and follows three years of work in which the recipient must demonstrate commitment, determination and community spirit.

Miss Holland, who is leader of the 3rd Warwick St Nicholas Guides, organised and ran a camp for almost 50 guides and leaders, led a four-day, 50-mile expedition through the Lake District, made a photographic record of an international guide camp and carried out a community action project on giving blood.

She said: “It took three years of hard work to earn the award so there was a big sense of achievement.

“It is an award that anybody can do - you can tailor it to your own interests. It is great that we are given the chance to explore those things and help other people.”

Miss Holland, a design and technology teacher at Southam College, believes the work she put in has helped her in her teaching and other areas of her life. She has since been selected to organise and run a trip for seven UK guides to represent the organisation at a camp in Hong Kong.

Although the official presentation took place in April, Miss Holland first received the award from Girlguiding UK Midlands region chief commissioner Lesley Knighton in December 2007.

Mrs Knighton said: “It was a pleasure and privilege to attend the Queen’s Guide presentation and an even greater honour to present Rachel with her award in her home county. It recognises the tremendous hard work and commitment undertaken by Rachel over a prolonged period.

“Girlguiding Midlands is very proud of Rachel’s tremendous achievement and her girls are extremely lucky to have such a committed enthusiastic and talented leader.”