A SUCCESSION of teenage murderers has attracted the nation's gaze to Warrington's nuisance youths, but one group of youngsters is keen to highlight a positive movement in the town.

Chatting to some of Warrington Scout movement's 1,064 adults and youngsters, their enthusiasm for the organisation is infectious.

Assistant Scout leader and Networker Matthew Kindon, aged 21, is also a firefighter at Birchwood Fire Station.

"I started as a Beaver and always remember it being associated with geeky things," smiled Matthew, "but I am really proud to be in Scouting. It is a lot more modernised these days and anyone can be in it."

"Being in the Scouts has developed me as a person and given me lots of opportunities, such as going to Thailand on a jamboree when I was 16."

Scout groups, which last year saw an 11 per cent increase in admissions, now accommodate girls and boys from six to 25 across five groups - Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and Networkers with opportunities also existing for adults.

Sam Reynolds, aged 17, a student at Priestley College, is now an Explorer and young leader after joining the Beavers 11 years ago.

He said: "It is not just about being outdoors, it is also about meeting new people, doing new activities such as gliding or zorbing (rolling down a hill in an inflatable ball) and it has helped immensely with my interaction and confidence skills."

Being involved in Scouting has given Matthew and Sam opportunities to travel abroad, something which pupils at Oakwood Primary School in Padgate, Emily and Joshua Appleton, have got to look forward to.

Emily, aged 11, who joined the Scouts last year, said: "It's a lot of fun and we get to do lots of adventurous activities.

"We went away camping in December and had to build our own shelters to sleep in."

Her eight-year-old brother Joshua, who is a Cub, added: "I love badgework. I have eight badges.

"Two of them are for roller blading and ice hockey and my next one is my skater badge."

Lesley Regan, one of the Scouts' district commissioners, feels a lot of people are unsure where to go to get the right opportunities and tend to follow their peers.

"There are a vast number of young people in Warrington who are absolutely superb," she said.

"But when you see the way Scouts work in the community and how they respond to adults it is outstanding."

For further information or to find your nearest group phone 0845 3001818.