THE grandson of Scouting founder Lord Robert Baden-Powell retraced his ancestor's steps during a visit to the region yesterday.

The Honourable Michael Baden-Powell was in Richmond, where his grandfather was stationed in the early part of the 20th Century, and where it is said that the idea for Scouting was conceived.

At the town hall, he saw documents and art left to the town council by Lady Baden-Powell in 1952, after her husband's death.

Items include a sketch of Lord Baden-Powell and a painting of the view from his office in Richmond Castle, both by artist Harold Speed in 1908, and a letter to Baden-Powell from US president Theodore Roosevelt, which praised the peer for a book he wrote.

Extracts from his diaries, letters and a coloured sketch of a Scout by Lord Baden-Powell are also owned by the council.

Mr Baden-Powell, who lives in Australia, also visited Catterick Garrison, where his grandfather was commander.

He said: "It has been fabulous. I feel as though I am retracing the steps of history 100 years later, and it has great meaning to me. It reinforces a thought that I have always had, that my grandfather was a man of his time and before his time."

Mr Baden-Powell, who was accompanied by his wife, Joan, was presented with a Richmond town crest plaque, a town council tie and a book about Richmond Castle by the mayor, Councillor John Robinson. In return, he presented a certificate and badge to Richard Good, from Arkengarthdale, for 43 years' service as a Scout leader.