CLEVELAND County and the village of New Marske were well represented at the St George's Day Parade for Queen Scouts at Windsor Castle last week.

Explorer Scouts Richard Butler and Matthew Sievert, together with leader Steve Swales, joined the parade.

It was only open to Queen's Scout Award-holders and both Richard and Matthew were invited to attend, having earned the highest award for personal achievement in Scouting.

Richard, 19, a student at Imperial College London, and Matthew, 18, a student at Prior Pursglove College, in Guisborough, were members of 1st New Marske Scout Group, before joining the District Explorer Scouts, where they completed the requirements of the award.

Leader Mr Swales was able to join the trip to Windsor after being named in the Chief Scouts Saint George's Day awards, and receiving the Silver Acorn for distinguished service to Scouting.

"This was a very special day for all of us," said Mr Swales.

"This is the Scout Association's centenary year, it is my 40th year in scouting and, in a parade of 600 Queen's Scouts from Great Britain and the Commonwealth, two were from New Marske.

"To top it all, Prince Philip stopped and spoke to Matt, asking him where he was from and what he had done."