TWO Scouts from Gloucestershire have been awarded the highest honour in Scouting at a ceremony at Windsor Castle.

Liberty Travis from Cirencester and Nathan Littlejohn from Bishops Cleeve, both aged 18, were amongst over 300 new Queen’s Scouts receiving their awards.

They were honoured by international adventurer Chief Scout, Bear Grylls on Sunday, April 22. Bear was joined by Princess Beatrice of York.

The Queen’s Scout Award is the highest honour that can be given in Scouting and is awarded for outstanding personal achievement.

It is achieved by young people aged between 16 and 25 who have completed a range of challenges, which includes service to their community, completing an expedition in wild country, undertaking a five-day residential project in an unfamiliar environment and learning a new skill or developing an existing talent.

Liberty has made an impact in her community by delivering sessions to young people on the importance of mental well-being.

Both Liberty and Nathan now help lead young people in Scouting in the Stroud & Tetbury and Tewkesbury areas.

Bear Grylls said: "During their time Scouting all these young people have worked incredibly hard to learn new skills and achieve their Queen’s Scout Awards.

"I am so full of admiration for their spirit, grit and determination. They have served their community, lead others and undertaken expeditions in the UK and around the world.

"As Queen's Scouts they are leading lights and an inspiration to over half a million Scouts in the UK and I am so pleased that Scouting has honoured them today. I am just so proud of all they have achieved.”

The annual Windsor Castle event has been held regularly since 1934 on the Sunday nearest to St George's Day (April 23).

St. George is the Patron Saint of Scouting.

Since the Queen’s Scout Award was instigated, over 100,000 of these awards have been presented to young men and women for outstanding personal achievements and service to their local communities.