THE Great Bedwyn Scout Group has celebrated its first year of operation with a spectacular fundraising success.

The Scouts, Cubs and Beavers outstripped expectations when they staged a Michaelmas Ball at the Marlborough Cup site at Barbary Castle on the Marlborough Downs in September.

Chief organiser Caroline Quinton Smith and her team had hoped to raise £4,000, but the final total came to more than £12,000.

On Thursday, more than 40 Scouts, Cubs and Beavers watched as 80 per cent of the money raised was presented to Imperial Cancer Research. Great Bedwyn Scout leader Jon Jordan present the cheque for £10,170 to Claire Hawkings, the charity's South West area appeals manager.

Afterwards, the ball's three key sponsors, Sue Brady of Sue Brady Catering, Jeremy Sumbler of Covered Occasions Marquees, and Liz Hosier of Wexcombe Flower Fairies, handed over a cheque for £2,500 to the Scout group, which was 20 per cent of the proceeds from the ball, to help towards new facilities.