CHIEF Scout Bear Grylls has praised the 1st Bingley Scout Group for its "fantastic work" in helping people cope during the recent floods.

After the devastating waters wrought havoc on Boxing Day, its Sycamore Avenue HQ was the centre for community volunteers in the Bingley Flood Support Group (BFSG) and also used as a store for donated aid and equipment.

Group Scout Leader Chris Boardman worked closely with BFSG organiser Michelle Chapman and the scouts and guides piled in to help.

Shipley MP Philip Davies wrote to Bear Grylls to commend the young people's efforts and he replied: "Thank you for letting me know about the fantastic work of 1st Bingley Scout Group.

PRAISE WHERE ITS DUE FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE

"I am always so proud of the support and commitment that Scout Groups show to their local communities - never more so than in moments of absolute desperation like the flooding we saw over the Christmas.

"I am writing to 1st Bingley Scout Group to express my thanks and let them know just how proud of them we are at the Scouts.

"Once again, I am so grateful for your letter, and so pleased that your constituency benefited from the work of such dedicated Scouts," Mr Grylls wrote.

Mr Boardman said he was proud to receive such praise from the Chief Scout.

"It's very kind, but we were just doing our bit for the community - which is what scouts have always done.

"One highlight was we held a New Year's party for all of the people who were involved or affected by the floods, which was a great success.

"The scout group is a credit to Bingley and of course we're all very, very proud and will show the Chief Scout's letter to all the scouts, guides, cubs and beavers," said Mr Boardman, who has been leader for 15 years and works as the school transport manager for TransDev in Keighley.

MP Philip Davies explained why he had contacted Bear Grylls.

"I felt they deserved some official recognition from the Chief Scout and I am pleased that they are getting the credit they deserve for their wonderful support for the local community."

Michelle Chapman, organiser of the Bingley Flood Support Group added her thanks.

"They were a godsend and were unbelievably helpful.

"I got Chris's phone number and he got a random call on Boxing Day asking for help. The following morning he opened up the scout hut and they kept everyone supplied with food, hot drinks and facilities up until 8pm every day for over a week.

"The scouts were an amazing group of young people and another thing they did was go leafleting to tell everyone what we were doing.

"We are all very grateful to them," she said.