FRIENDS of a disappointed Danish scout troupe stepped in when the foot and mouth crisis threatened to scupper plans for an East Lancashire holiday.

The group of 22 from Voersa and Saeby sent out an SOS when Bowley international camp at Great Harwood was cancelled because of local cases of the disease.

They called on their friends at Hoddlesden Scout Group and the Cellar Dwellers Venture Scout and Guide Unit in Darwen to organise an alternative trip to the area at short notice.

They are due to arrive in town tomorrow for the start of a nine day break.

Their action-packed itinerary includes an ice skating session at Blackburn Arena, a day at the Jorvik Centre in York, a visit to the home of Manchester United and two camping expeditions.

International Scout Adviser for East Lancashire, Ron Ryder, said: "We have a long standing friendship and there have been been exchanges between Darwen and Denmark for about 12 years.

"Darwen Scouts visited the Danish National Jamboree last year."

Anne and Alan Cooper of Darwen's Cellar Dweller Venture Scout and Guide Unit and Ian and Anne White of Hoddlesden Scout group put together the camping programme.