SCOUT numbers in Cheshire have grown by more than 2,000 in less than a decade – helped by another increase in Ellesmere Port & District.

Current membership levels in the county have grown to 11,804 and in Ellesmere Port & Neston membership now stands at 597 – up by six in the past 12 months and 89 overall in the last four years.

District commissioner Sue Goddard said: “To have grown so much in just a few short years is remarkable and we have seen the response from young people to the vibrant activity programmes that are set by out dedicated leadership teams.”

The Duchess of Cambridge recently honoured more than 400 Scouts at Windsor Castle as they received the Queen’s Scout Award, the highest honour a Scout can achieve.

Chief Scout and international adventurer Bear Grylls also attended the event at Windsor Castle.

Among the recipients being honoured were Ellesmere Port & Neston District members Joshua McCready and James Tunstall.

Scout leader Josh McCready, 20, who is currently studying at the Maritime Academy in Southampton and joined the Scouting movement aged six, said: “I was proud to represent Ellesmere Port and Neston District and of course Cheshire.

“Sadly, I didn’t get to speak directly to the Duchess of Cambridge but I did meet our Chief Scout Bear Grylls which was a thrill and something I will always remember.”

James Tunstall, 24, who works as a baker in an Ellesmere Port supermarket, says the event was absolutely fantastic from start to finish. The 6th Ellesmere Port and Neston Beaver Scout leader, who also joined the Scouting movement aged six, said: “I just couldn’t fault the day, the way everything was organised was tremendous and I was thrilled to be there.

“I was obviously proud to be representing Ellesmere Port and Neston and Cheshire. I feel I did my mum and dad and the rest of my family proud, which is important to me.

“I was on the front row, along with Joshua, as the Duchess of Cambridge passed. She did greet several people on our row but sadly not us directly. She looked absolutely stunning.

“Later, in the Victoria Barracks, I was thrilled to meet our Chief Scout Bear Grylls. He chatted for quite a while and is so down-to-earth, a fabulous guy. The whole day was a thrill and a memorable experience.”