A TAVISTOCK scout leader has been honoured by chief scout and international adventurer Bear Grylls.

Alex Symons, a scout leader for 1st Tavistock Scouts, has been recognised by Bear Grylls at Windsor Castle as he received his Queen's Scout Award. Bear was joined by Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester GCVO, who is the cousin of the Queen.

The Queen's Scout Award is the highest honour in scouting and is awarded for outstanding personal achievement. This honour is achieved by young people aged between 16 and 25, who have completed a range of challenges, which includes service to their community, completing an expedition in wild country, undertaking a five-day residential project in an unfamiliar environment and learning a new skill or developing an existing talent.

Alex was one of nearly 500 scouts to receive a Queen's Scout Award at the annual event.

Commenting on his achievement, Alex said: 'Working for my Queen's Scout Award was an incredibly fulfilling challenge, which required me to develop myself into a more rounded person in order to complete it.

'A key part of the award, the residential section, was of particular importance to me as I was able to use it to develop my interest in archaeology, an area in which I would like to develop a career, by attending a training excavation in Cornwall.

'Working as a young leader with 1st Tavistock Scout Group has allowed me to develop my self-confidence and leadership abilities, as well as encouraging me to become an adult leader, so that I can continue to be of service to the community.'

Bear Grylls said: 'All these young people have lived the adventure of a lifetime to achieve their Queen's Scout Awards and I admire that spirit so much. They are huge inspirations to the other 550,000 scouts in the UK and I am so pleased that scouting has honoured them today. They are amazing.'

l The annual Windsor Castle event has been held regularly since 1934 on the Sunday nearest to St George's Day (April 23) — St George is the Patron Saint of Scouting. Since the Queen's Scout Award was instigated, more than 100,000 of these awards have been presented to young men and women for outstanding personal achievements and service to their local communities.