FOLLOWING a trail of decorative bunting, balloons and squirrel logos, a dozen excited four and five year olds skipped into Mealbank Hall in Ingleton for the very first meeting of the newly formed Squirrel Drey - part of Ingleborough scouts.

Starting with a special song to welcome everyone, Claire Hargreaves, the volunteer Squirrel leader, led the youngsters through a variety of fun activities including making a model squirrel out of carpet pieces on which they could write their name.

They then hunted for acorns that would grow into a tree on which they could hang their squirrel model each week when they arrived. After a refreshment break, they played ball games and rounded off the session with a story about Little Rabbit Foo Foo.

Sue Haddrill, Ingleborough Deputy District Commissioner, said: "Squirrels meet in a positive, safe environment to develop essential skills for life, starting them on a journey to become the active citizens and leaders of the future. The programme has been designed to support informal learning and promoting key skills like working together, communication, and language, as well as creativity and community awareness.

"Squirrels get active, explore nature and have fun learning with friends, all while earning which include Feel Good, Be Active, Explore Outdoors, Brilliant Builder and Exciting Experiments."

To find out more and add a child's name to the waiting list, go to: https://ingleboroughscouts.org.uk