GAZETTE & HERALD: A SCOUT group which was founded in 1912 is in danger of closing unless volunteers come forward to help run it.

Audrey Lucas, 65, who has been leader of the 1st Calne Scout Group for 20 years, said that help was needed urgently to keep the group going.

"We don't want to have to close the colony down, so I am hoping somebody reading this may come along and help us out of our predicament," said Mrs Lucas.

The group has around 85 boys and and a waiting list, and is very active with outdoor games, sports and other activities.

Helpers are needed for all three age sections the Scouts, aged ten to 15; Cubs, aged eight to ten; and Beavers, aged six to eight.

The groups meet at the Scout Hall in Quarr Barton as follows: Scouts, Friday evenings; Cubs, Tuesdays and Thursdays and Beavers, Mondays.

"The non-uniform helpers we have at the moment are parents and tend to move on as their boys get older and move sections," said Mrs Lucas.

"We are finding it increasingly difficult to find volunteers. I think a lot of it is to do with health and safety and commitment.

"People are busy these days and it is time consuming. We say it takes up about two hours a week but you get so much out of it."

Mrs Lucas, of The Pippin, said each group had a leader and assistant leader but needed two or three additional volunteers to help out.

She said age, sex and experience were not important but prospective helpers needed to be full of beans.

"Just recently we've been making volcanoes, doing things for St George's Day and lots of sports," she said.

Three staff had left at Christmas, and the groups had been surviving with parental help ever since.

Mrs Lucas said: "It's not an ideal solution. We would love to have people we could train.

"The boys have such fun when you see their faces and how much they enjoy it, it's worth all the effort."

For more information, contact Mrs Lucas on (01249) 813627.