A KILCREGGAN youth group has been praised for doing its bit to protect a community asset.

The 1st Peninsula Scouts have been helping to maintain the flower beds at Kilcreggan pier since September in an inspiring initiative aimed at teaching the children valuable lessons as they work towards their badges.

Ursula Jones, group scout leader, said: “We arranged it with the local authorities to help the children learn that we all need to work together.

“It gives them a connection to the village. They can walk past it and think ‘we helped out with this.’ It also shows that the scouts are active in the community.

“Anything we can do to help with the community is always good.”

And Lomond north councillor Barbara Morgan, who lives in Kilcreggan, said it is great to see a local organisation, with young people at its heart, helping out in the community.

She said: “Any support from local groups in supporting communities is always welcomed.

"The scouts are a great organisation and this project gives relevant qualities going forward, such as responsibility and a sense of joy and achievement.

"I would encourage such projects and thank our young people for their work, it is greatly appreciated by all."

The children, ranging from six to 14-years-old, will maintain the flower beds for seven to eight months, taking turns between the scouts, cubs and beavers. They also laid a wreath in the Remembrance Sunday service on the 100th anniversary of the armistice.

The group has suffered from falling numbers in recent months and encourages more young people to come and join.

The Scouts meet at the Scout Hut building in Kilcreggan: Beavers on Tuesdays from 6pm – 7pm, Cubs on Wednesdays from 6pm – 7.30pm and Scouts on Thursdays between 7 and 9pm. New members are welcome to come and try.