ELEVEN hard-working youngsters have been handed the Chief Scout Bronze Award – the highest achievement possible for their age group.

The Beaver Scouts from Corbridge Scout Group, aged between six and eight, were required to complete six challenge awards and four activity badges before they received the award.

Earlier this month they attended the Top Scout Award ceremony at Newcastle University to receive their awards, presented by the County Commissioner and the UK Chief Commissioner.

Beaver Scout leader Maria Rogers said: “We were as proud as punch.

“There were hundreds and hundreds of kids there and it was nice to see their hard work pay off.”

The Beaver Scouts had been completing their challenges over the past two years.

They had been following the theme of the Scouting Movement ‘Skills for Life’.

This challenges Scout leaders to deliver a programme which is suitable for an increasingly changing society and aims to inspire youngsters and bring their communities closer together.

Maria added: “They have all had tremendous fun working towards their badges and have truly gained skills which they can take on with them for the rest of their lives.”