MEMBERS of Walkham Valley Beaver Scouts have achieved the highest award possible through hard work and commitment during this term.

Seven boys gained the Chief Scout?s bronze award after completing two challenge badges and a personal challenge.

The boys, with the other members of the colony, completed their friendship and outdoor challenge badges by working with the church and doing things for other people, and learning about the outdoor environment of Dartmoor.

Personal challenges taken on by the boys included a series of cookery tasks, knotting and a talk on martial arts, the idea being to start learning a new skill or develop an current one.

Several members also passed their swimming stage one and nights away stage one badges.

At the colony?s recent award ceremony, a wet and wild session at Walkhampton School swimming pool, five of the original members completed their ?swimming up? ceremony to move on to the cub scouts.

Becci Young, colony leader, said: ?We had a grant to open the colony two years ago and these boys who are leaving, some of whom have got the bronze award, are the original beavers.

?It?s fantastic to see them going through, they are the first ones in the colony to get the new bronze award since it was brought in. They are the first to have been able to go for it, and they have, and they have all got it.?