A SCOUT leader who ran a Darlington troop for 52 years has died - leaving a farewell message for the pack.

Frank "Skip" Beadle died peacefully, surrounded by his family at his home in Yoredale Avenue, on Monday, after a battle against cancer.

The 8th Darlington Scout Group will form a guard of honour at his funeral, at Cockerton Methodist Church, on Monday - as they did for his wedding, in 1958.

In his farewell letter, he wrote: "My only wish is that the 8th will carry on, that effort would be put into that, rather than looking at what has been done.

"If it has made just one boy or girl better for having been in the 8th, it has all been worthwhile. Use your life to the full, I say, and do some work for others."

Mr Beadle was born on a farm on the outskirts of Darlington in 1927, and began work at 14 as an apprentice cabinet-maker.

During National Service with the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, he saw active service in India, Malaysia and Thailand.

He and his wife, Jean, had a daughter, Kathryn, and son, Kevin, who died in 1996 aged 27 and is survived by a grandson, Daniel.

Mr Beadle joined the Scouts in 1939. In the 1970s he became assistant district commissioner.

He qualified as a teacher at Nottingham University, and taught in Hartlepool, Chilton and then Hummersknott Comprehensive School, Darlington.

Between 1987 and 1991 he was a borough councillor for the Cockerton East ward, and served on the board of governors for Branksome School and Alderman Leach infants'.

Mr Beadle also wrote five books reflecting his fascination with Meccano and other building kits.