SCOUTS in Dudley have reported the highest number of adult volunteers on record, in its latest annual membership figures.

The area now has 368 volunteers, more than at any point in its history, but despite such high numbers of volunteers, the waiting list for young people who want to join the Scouts in Dudley has sky-rocketed 81 per cent.

Scouting continues to grow, and there are now 943 young people involved in Scouting in Dudley and including adult volunteers, total membership is now at 1,311.

The Cub Scouts (eight to 10-year-olds) is the most popular section, with 1,709 members.

Mark Bache, lead volunteer for the Black Country, said: “Many adults who are signing up with the Scouts have a limited amount of time to donate to us, and so we need more volunteers as a whole in order to accommodate the continued demand.

"I’m calling on adults who want to make a difference to the lives of young people to give Scouting a go.

“We know that not having enough time is the main barrier to volunteering among adults, which is why we want to make it easier by offering flexibility in a range of roles from Scout group leaders to administrative and trustee positions.”

Visit www.scouts.org.uk/join for information about volunteering.