MORE adult volunteers are needed to handle an increase in membership with the Scouts in Mid Devon, following a 15% rise.

In Mid-Devon, which covers Okehampton and the surrounding area, the number of children joining the cub and scout sections rocketed, with more than a 26% increase in both sections. The Scout section grew by 15%, with an overall increase of 56 youth members.

This has led to a desperate need to find more adult volunteers to cope with demand.

Steve Hagger, Devon Scouts media manager, said: 'Leader numbers in Mid-Devon rose, with an additional eight leaders appointed during the year and while this is good news, the waiting list to join Scouting remains at an all-time high.

'The current waiting list to join Scouting in Mid Devon now stands at fifty-four.'

'Scouting provides all young people with opportunities for both adventure and personal development. Scout members can enjoy more than two hundred outdoor activities such as kayaking, parasailing and zorbing.

'Alongside this, Scouts are encouraged to become responsible members of their communities, reaching their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potential development.'

Daisy Bol, a 14-year-old Scout from Okehampton, said: 'I love scouting and it's really good having a mix of girls and boys in my troop.

'The opportunities afforded to you every week are excellent — one week you could be caving, the next doing a walk in the local neighbourhood.

'Last year I went to Denmark — it was amazing. Scouting gets you outside and teams you up with loads of people. I don't think there is anywhere else you can do things like this.

'I'd definitely encourage young people of all ages to join as scouting is all about getting involved and having fun.'

The rises in Mid Devon reflect the UK as a whole. In the past year, 4,330 girls and 3,796 boys joined the Scout movement, pushing the total number of members past half a million.

The 1st Okehampton Scout Group meets three times a week, with different evenings for Cubs, Beavers and Scouts.

If you wish to volunteer, or to find further information on the group, call group scout leader Mr Jones on 01837 54497.

For further information on scout groups across the area, including the North Tawton and South Zeal Scout groups, visit http://www.devonscouts.org.uk/middevon">www.devonscouts.org.uk/middevon