A ‘VIRTUAL camp’ for Scouts started in Tynedale has gained 100,000 visitors from across the globe in the first 24 hours.

Allendale resident Bruce Lenton, the district commissioner for Haydon Scouts, came up with the idea of Camp@Home, an online plea to get as many Scouts from across the world joining in with a month-long camp by building a den or pitching a tent in the garden and then building campfires and taking part in Scouts’ activities during the lockdown for coronavirus.

A fellow Scout leader then decided to target a new Guinness World Record for the world’s largest virtual camp, and there was certainly a lot of interest as hundreds of thousands of Scouts from all corners of the globe signed up in the first night.

Mr Lenton said: “We are aiming to make this a massive success and bring a little bit of happiness to lots of people all over the world in what ever way we can.

“We have opened up the event to Scouts and Guides too and maybe it will inspire other young people and adults to join Scouting as a result and show that we can adapt to ever changing situations and give people the skills for life that they need.”

People can get involved in the virtual camp by sharing photos, videos or blogs with Northumberland Scouts via its Facebook page, on Twitter at @NorthlandScouts or on Instagram at @Northumberland_Scouts