ALCESTER'S scouts and guides could be in their new headquarters in less than a year.

Work is about to start on the shell of the building, in Moorfield Road, following a mixture of donations, grants, loans and fundraising activities.

And the joint organising committee hopes that further funds will be raised to fit out the building.

The shell should be complete by early October, but more than £50,000 will have to be raised in cash or assistance in kind to complete the project.

Anyone willing to help can call secretary Gill Laughlin on 01789 778539.