A TROUPE of lucky Lytham Scouts can meet safely with a new roof over their heads, thanks to the help of a local business man -- and The Citizen.

Local building and engineering company Buxtons has agreed to pay for all the repairs, including materials and labour, thanks to the plight being highlighted in your favourite weekly newspaper.

Two weeks ago we reported how the Lytham scout hut, situated in the grounds of Mayfield County Primary School, was so badly in need of repair it could face closure under new health and safety regulations.

Not only would the closure affect the 17th Lytham St Annes Scout Group, but also the Beavers, Cubs, Rangers and Army Cadets who also use the hut.

But local-minded businessman David Cox has stepped in to foot the estimated £25,000 repair bill.

The managing director of Buxtons, based on Clifton Drive South, St Annes, is a regular reader of The Citizen and was touched by the story.

"I saw the article and it struck a chord with me," he told us.

"I used to be a scout and attended meetings in a wooden hut, and to be honest I've never really liked the modern new buildings that many groups now meet in.

"So when I saw this wooden hut, which is part of our local heritage in trouble I thought I would step in and try to do something about it.

"Our main client base is in St Annes and the surrounding area and, as they have shown extreme loyalty to us, I feel it only fair that we should offer our services to the community in refurbishing the scout hut." Scout leader Bill Hembrow, who first brought the scouts plight to the attention of The Citizen, was obviously delighted at the decision.

"We are over the moon," he told us.

"It's all happened very quickly and I haven't had a chance to even write to the parents of the scouts to tell them about it.

"So this is probably going to come as a pleasant surprise to lots of parents as they read it here first!"

Mr Cox has also made a generous offer to raise charity money.

"As this is a challenge personally for me and my company, I thought I would issue a challenge to the scouts as well," he said.

"I have challenged them to raise ten per cent of the repair bill without diverting funds from other areas, which can then go to another good cause."

Scout leader Bill has already had plenty of ideas.

"We are having a plant auction. We have been and will be bag packing in several local supermarkets in the near future.

"We are also having a 'Wine and Wisdom' evening, also known as a pub quiz.

"We would like to give our very grateful thanks to David Cox and all at Buxtons who have made this possible."

If you would like to attend one of the Scouts fund raising events then give Bill Hembrow a call on (01253) 721872 in the evening.