Scouting in Bradford has enjoyed its biggest growth in a decade for those aged 14 to 18, according to new figures.

The UK Scout Movement witnessed its biggest growth spurt overall since 1972, aided by 828 new members in Yorkshire, figures released today revealed.

John Reynolds, district commissioner for Bradford North Scouts, said the number of teenagers in the district had risen by a fifth last year – the biggest growth he had seen in that age range. He said: “We do a membership census at the end of January every year.

“Obviously, we have statistical data which goes back over the last decade and we can compare our own growth, and sometimes decline.

“In the age range that we are talking about for my district, we have had an increase this year of 20 per cent and I have had an overall increase of eight per cent of all ages.

“There’s a lot of good marketing which has been going on as far back as the centenary in 2007.

“We have got a new Chief Scout in Bear Grylls and, at the local level, we are doing exciting and interesting things.

“We have got kids who are going abroad, we have got them helping on the campsite and they do general challenges. I have been in the Scouts for 37 years and this is the highest increase we have seen in that age range, which has been going for ten years.”

Scouting in Yorkshire overall has grown 2.8 per cent since January 31, 2009, helping membership in Yorkshire reach 29,188 and total UK membership total 499,323.

Yet as the numbers continue to rise, overall waiting lists to join the Scouts remain at an all-time high, due to the need for more adult volunteers.

Chief Scout Bear Grylls said: “It’s fantastic to witness such a huge surge in Scouting – the biggest growth for 38 years – and it is proof that Scouting is appealing more and more to teenagers.

“My goal is for every young person that wants to be involved in Scouting to be able to be.”