CALSTOCK Parish Council hopes it can come to the rescue of a popular scout group which could disband by the end of the year if they do not find a new site.

The 1st Tamar Valley Scouts has to move out of a rental premises in Delaware by December and needs somewhere to house a large scout hut it has been given.

Now the parish council has suggested St Ann's Recreation Field may be the solution.

The field is owned by the council but permission would be needed from Fields In Trust, formerly the National Playing Fields Association. Planning permission would also be needed.

Parish clerk Julia Massey said there were strict rules on what the recreation ground could be used for and the trustees would have to decide whether a scout hut would be suitable. The field currently has a football pitch, children's play area and skateboard ramp.

Cllr Rachel Puddiphatt said putting a scout hut in that location would make use of that part of the field and could trigger a regeneration of the playing field.

Cllr Dorothy Kirk said not only could the council secure the survival of the scout group but they could also ensure the building could be for public use in perpetuity.

The scout group caters for children from age six to14 and at the present time it has 20 cubs and 18 scouts and is just about to reform a beavers group due to local demand. Chairman of the group Nick Buxton told the Times recently there was a lot of enthusiasm from the young people as well as from parents and leaders:

He said: 'The bottom line is if we cannot get keep it going after December with a new premises then it will all fizzle out.'