A 108-YEAR-OLD Scout group is delighted to have a new home after being forced out of a community centre due to a huge rent hike.

The 1st Shipley Scouts had been at Windhill Community Centre, near Carr Lane, for 15 years on a special low rent of £400 a year, but had been told they had to pay the going rate of £5,000 or move out by Tuesday this week.

The booming group has more than 100 Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers from one of Bradford’s most deprived areas and could not raise any cash by increasing membership fees.

But assistant group leader Lee Farrow said that after their plight was highlighted in the Telegraph & Argus, they had been contacted by people keen to help and now had a permanent new home at Christ Church C of E Academy primary school in Wrose Brow Road, Windhill. “It’s a great relief for the kids and us,” said Mr Farrow. “Off the back of that article people got in touch from places including Titus Salt School and a church hall in Greengates.

“It was heartwarming the way people responded – really good positive support from the community.

“And Christ Church school is just ideal.”

Mr Farrow said Tuesday was the group’s last night at the community centre and they were all excited about having a new HQ.

“We have two weeks off for half term and then start at the school on Tuesday, June 14, and that’s us settled into our new home!”

Head teacher Philippa Foster said they had been delighted to be approached by the Reverend Mark Watson, one of their governors, looking for a new home for the Scouts.

“As a Church school, Christ Church C of E Academy welcomes the opportunity to support the local Scouting organisation in Windhill by allowing them to use the school premises,” she said.

“We recognise the valuable work that the Scout groups do with local children and we are fully committed to promoting community cohesion. We are pleased to have the resources available to contribute.”

Ist Shipley’s group leader, James Stannett, said: “It’s fantastic news and we will work alongside the school and build a really good relationship.

“It’s very exciting for us all to be going to Christ Church and somehow feels like a natural progression.”

Windhill Community Centre chairman Gianfranco Sabelli said it was a very reluctant decision to ask the Scouts to leave their Tuesday slot and wished them well.

“This was a business decision forced upon the board by the need to compensate for a significant reduction in support,” he said.