SECURITY experts have come to the rescue of scouts whose gardening project was almost scrapped because of vandals.

Members of 1st Burnmoor Scout Group installed a polytunnel at their headquarters in Fencehouses, near Chester-le-Street recently to help youngsters in the area learn more about nature and growing plants.

Children from nearby Woodlea Primary and Burnmoor School planted seeds, including hundreds of sunflowers.

But the project was nearly wrecked when yobs broke into the garden and slashed parts of the tunnel in a late-night attack in June.

Now Sunderland-based CCTV specialist Hadrian Technology has installed infrared cameras to provide round-the-clock security.

The scouts had started fundraising to meet the £4,000 cost of buying and installing CCTV when the company stepped in to donate the equipment.

Gary Trotter, general manager at Hadrian Technology, said: “The garden will now be secure and will give the volunteers and children peace of mind, deter the vandals, have a positive effect on their insurance premiums - and maybe even catch the perpetrators if they return.”

Group scout leader Allan Forster said they feared their dream of growing plants that will eventually be used in hanging baskets and displays at roundabouts and at landmarks in the local community was about to be shattered.

He said: “The youngsters went from being really excited about the project to down in the doldrums. The polytunnel was brand new and for someone to come and attempt to destroy it was very upsetting for everyone.

“We’re growing plants to take into the local community to improve the environment for everyone and, thanks to Hadrian Technology, the project can still go ahead.”