A SCOUT group in north Durham is celebrating its diamond anniversary next month.

The Second Burnopfield Scout Group’s 60th Anniversary Service is to be held at 3pm on February 3 at St James’ Church in Burnopfield.

There is an open invitation afterwards to scouts and former scouts from around the area to enjoy refreshments and chat about old scouting stories in the nearby church hall.

Group scout leader Alice Armstrong said: “Within the region, scouting plays a large part in supporting the physical social and intellectual development of youngsters as they grow up and seeks to install in them a sense of citizenship and duty to their community.

“I am delighted to see that at Second Burnopfield, the pack is still going just as strong as ever with a number of the children starring at the recent bi-annual Derwentside Gang Show held at the Lamplight Theatre in Stanley and going on summer camps.”