A DEVELOPER is honouring a scout’s promise to help a community troop beat the vandals.

A series of break-ins has seen over £5,000 of damage done to the 5th Birtley Scout Group hut, which is just off Ruskin Road in the town.

But now, Linden Homes, Galliford Try’s housebuilding division, which is constructing The Aspens development close by, has come to the rescue.

A team of specialist contractors and willing volunteers are taking part in a two week refurbishment programme to spruce up the building and to make it more secure.

Scout leader James Heron said: “The damage caused has really taken its toll on our scout hut and we are delighted that Linden Homes has come forward to help us.

“I had seen the new homes they are building in the town and thought that it would do no harm to send them an email to see if they could help.

“I was hoping for some advice or maybe some materials but the response we have received has been so much more than we expected.”