GIRLS are giving the boys a run for their money at an Otley cub scout pack.

The 2nd Otley pack decided to move with the times and let girls into its scout group.

And after just a few months, the girls have blended in so well that the group is encouraging younger girls to join its Beaver colony.

Trevor Oates, scout leader, said there were three girls in the group - Beth Hall-Say, eight, and nine-year-olds, Nicole Mayock and Jay Hammond.

He said: "They do everything that the boys do and have blended in so well I don't even notice they're girls any more."

He said the group was also looking for younger girls, from six years upwards, to join its Beaver colony.

Meanwhile, the group is doing very well, expanding from just five scouts three years ago to now 41 members and nine leaders.

And a full programme of events has been lined up for the year, including a week long camping trip to France, just outside Paris, in March.

"I'm very interested in taking the kids away camping and doing the traditional scouting things like cooking outside and they just love it. It's refreshing when you think we're in the age of computers and so much television.

"The future of the cub pack looks extremely exciting and we may soon be in a position of having to start a waiting list for membership," he said.

In order to raise money to pay for the March trip, the group, which meets on Thursdays at the scout hut in Craven Street, Otley, is planning a car wash day at Otley Fire Station in early March.

It would also welcome any donations for the trip, new leaders and any boys or girls keen to join. More information on (01274) 610497.