SCOUTS marked a century of doing their duty to their country during a special celebration of their centenary.

The 1st Duddon Scout Group, based in Dalton, celebrated its 100th birthday during an open day of activities on Saturday.

The group, which is open to all young people from the ages of six to 14, is thriving with a beaver colony, cub pack, and Scout troop. It was set up in 1917, just ten years after Baden-Powell started the first ever Scouts group.

Although the starting age is six, youngsters can apply ahead of their sixth birthday.

Jane Thatcher, group scout leader, said: “It’s amazing to see how some things in scouting have changed over 100 years, but the sense of fun and adventure is just the same as it’s always been.”

In preparation for the day’s events, Scouts leaders managed to collect historical memorabilia including old shirts, badges, trophies and photos, some of them nearly as old as the group itself.

District commissioners Eddie Richards and Susie Faulkner visited the open day to wish the group well on their special day. The mayor of Dalton, Nick Perie, also attended the event to learn more about Scouting in Dalton.

He said: “I think Scouting brings a sense of community pride; the young people help in the community, get involved, and put in something that you can’t get from anywhere else”.

Visit cumbriascouts.org.uk/join to find out how to get involved in the Scout movement.