WESTBURY scouts marked the end of an era on Thursday when their home of 60 years was demolished to make way for a new £75,000 headquarters.

The 1st Westbury Scout Group took over the wooden hut in Meadow Lane in the 1940s, but it had became too cramped as numbers increased.

Now, with the help of fundraising and grants, the scouts are set to move into the new brick building early next year.

Group chairman David Wakefield said: "It was sad to see it go after all the work we've put into it over the years, but it's got to the stage where wooden buildings have got to go.

"It's good news that the group has grown enough to fund a new building, which is very rare in this part of the country.

"I don't think there's another scout hut being built (in the South West). We are getting stronger, but most groups are getting weaker.

"We've done raffles, sales and sponsored events to fund it, but it's been more chasing people for grants."

The £75,000 building will include access for disabled scouts and was started with £25,000 from the South West Wiltshire District Scout Association.

Other contributions include £20,000 from Viridor Waste Manage-ment and £10,000 from the Lafarge Group, both via the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme.