Dedicated Commissioner Sue Dempsey has been rewarded for her years of work with the Scouts.

Mrs Dempsey, of Little Cheverell, is the District Explorer Scout Commissioner for Mid Wilts. She has been involved with the movement for 18 years.

Keith Bennett, District Commissioner for Mid Wilts, nominated her for the Medal of Merit.

He said: “Sue has just been brilliant, she has grown the Explorer section within the district from two to five Explorer Scouts units. She helps with groups in other districts too.”

The medal is given to people with more than 15 years’ service who have gone above and beyond what they are asked to do.

She said: “I was very proud and surprised, it’s nice to be recognised. I do it for the young people.”

As a girl she attended Brownies, but it wasn’t until her daughter joined cubs and scouts that she became a leading figure with the Explorer Scouts aged 14 to 18.

In 2006 Mrs Dempsey was part of the service crew for Euro Jamboree and the 21st World Scout Jamboree in 2007.

She is hoping to be a part of the 22nd World Jamboree in Sweden next year.

Now that her three children are grown up Mrs Dempsey can give even more time to the scouts. She works for the ambulance service.