HUNDREDS of people enjoyed the sun at the 8th Annual St Pauls Scout Group Family Fun Day.

The event took place in the grounds of Oswaldtwistle Mills and organisers say it was a huge success in raising funds for the group.

Craig Fishwick, Group Scout leader at St Pauls, was over the moon at the number of people who attended this year’s event.

He said: “We hold this event to try to give something back to our community.

“We keep it free to enter and there are loads of activities that the youngsters can try for free, this year the archery and bug house making seem to have gone down particularly well.”

Group chairman Stephen Lowe said: "It was our busiest event ever and we started it off when we celebrated our centenary and have been running it ever since.

"We want to provide opportunities for young people in the community in uniformed organisations too as the sea cadets, police cadets and guides were there too not just the scouts.

"We want them to make another group of friends outside of their school and learn skills for life.

"We had lots of people saying they wanted to join and the parents were enjoying hands-on skills and getting away from electronic equipment.

"Scouting is growing in Hyndburn which is great news."

The group was recently awarded the Queens Award for Voluntary service, which is the equivalent of an MBE.

Group chairman Stephen Lowe believes the community play a key role in the group’s success.

He said: “Our group is on the up.

“We have loads of enthusiastic youngsters in our sections and some of the best leaders in the land and its all thanks to community of Hyndburn for coming forward to help. “However, we have waiting lists of youngsters and we need more adults to step forward to help.

“For an hour week you can help make a real difference in the lives of the youngsters in your community."