A LONG-SERVING member of Bury's Scout movement has been honoured with a top awardand a royal parade.

Mrs Evelyn Bailey, who later this year celebrates 40 years with the Scouting Association, has been award the Silver Acorn, one of the highest leader awards in scouting.

And, as a recipient, the 73-year-old was invited to take part in the official St George's Day Parade at Windsor Castle.

The Silver Acorn was presented to her formally by the County Commissioner, Mrs Ann McClean, at Bury's Baden Powell Hall.

Mrs Bailey, of Prescot Close, Bury, said: "I am very proud and honoured to get this award."

The widow's involvement in the Scout movement started in 1962 when she joined the 18th Bury (St Marie's) Scout Group as Akela of the Cub Pack.

She now assists the current Cub Scout leader at the same group but during her time more than 1,000 boys aged between eight and ten years have come through the pack.

She said: "I have no children of my own. All the boys who came through Cubs are my family. I still get called Akela in the street by grown men and at Christmas time I get stacks of cards from former Cubs."

The retired machinist added: "I wouldn't have missed out on Scouting for the world. It has been so rewarding."