HUNDREDS of Scouts waited eagerly at a Vale of Evesham camp over the weekend for the arrival of their hero and celebrity adventurer Bear Grylls.

The well-known UK Chief Scout arrived in style, descending from the skies in a helicopter into the playing fields of Bredon Hill Middle School in Ashton-under-Hill, near Evesham, to the delight of about 300 Scouts.

The event was part of Operation Bald Eagle and the Evesham camp was one of 16 that Bear visited over the weekend as part of his mission to encourage more adults to volunteer for Scouting.

He said: “It was great to visit Scouts across Wales and the West Midlands in the past couple of days. At every event I went to, I met young people taking part in the adventure that Scouting provides.

“It’s crucial, though, that more adults sign up as volunteers, to ensure all young people have the opportunity to join.

"I’m super proud to be Chief Scout and it’s great to see first-hand the adventures that our members are taking part in.”

Bärbel Wolstencroft, district commissioner for Evesham, said: “It was exciting for the Scouts to have Bear drop in from the air. Scouting is all about adventure, and it’s great to have someone like Bear join in.”

Bear’s journey started on the Isle of Wight, where his late father taught him to climb and sail. Trained from a young age in martial arts, Bear went on to spend three years as a soldier in the British SpecialForces, serving with 21 SAS.

In July 2009 at the age of 35, Bear was appointed as the youngest ever Chief Scout to 28 million Scouts worldwide.

For more information, visit scouts.org.uk