THE PROUD tradition of scouting looks set to die out in Addingham unless a willing troupe leader can be found.

Marilyn Doherty, who runs the village's cub group, says Addingham has been without a scout leader for almost a year and a half and the situation is getting desperate.

Now she is urging residents to come forward and help resurrect the village's scout troupe, for boys aged between ten and a half and 15. "We have a few boys in the cubs who are ready to move on to scouts but can't because there is nowhere for them to go," she said.

"In Addingham we are so cut off. There are troupes in Ilkley willing to take them but it's a bit of a pain for parents to have to drive there at night."

The village has its own scout hut behind the Memorial Hall, a popular beaver and cub section and once had a thriving scout troupe to be proud of.

"We did have a long-term scout leader who left and after that a couple of others who didn't stay long," said Mrs Doherty, of School Lane.

"Since then the troupe has been closed. All the kids involved have given up hope for it."

The new leader does not need any specific qualifications as all training is carried out by the Scout Association.

But they do need to be able to spare a couple of hours each week for the scout meeting.

"It can be great fun and it's very rewarding," said Mrs Doherty.

"The new leader would get support from the district initially and it can be as adventurous as they want it to be. We do all sorts including camping, archery and mountaineering."

Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Mrs Doherty on (01943) 831156.