THE Shuttle/Times and News's £80,000 appeal to rebuild a torched Bewdley Scout centre at Rhydd Covert campsite has gathered steam since its launch last week.

BADGES to mark the launch of Operation Covert will go on sale next month, thanks to the generosity of a Stourbridge company.

Webb Tolley, which produces badges for Scout groups throughout the UK, has donated 500 badges to sell in aid of the appeal.

The badges - which feature a design based on the appeal logo - will be sold among district Scouts and from the Shuttle/Times & News offices in Blackwell Street.

Operation Covert is asking for a minimum donation of £1 for each badge.

Marketing manager Jo Tolley said: "Having supplied badges to Rhydd Covert for many years, it seemed a natural offer to produce some special Operation Covert embroidered badges for the Scouts to sell.

"We hope that this will help raise awareness and funds towards the rebuilding costs. As a local company, we are delighted to be able to help our local Scouting community."

Dave Denton, district commissioner for Kidderminster & District Scout Council, said he was thrilled with the offer.

He explained: "It really is so encouraging that companies are prepared to help us in this way. It gives us renewed enthusiasm for the task ahead. The more companies that are able to help us then the sooner we can get these facilities back in use."

Mrs Tolley is married to the company's managing director, Nigel Tolley, whose family set up the business in 1964. She said the badges should be ready for the last week of November.