SCOUTS took part in a mammoth tree planting to help celebrate 50 years at their Meopham site.

Gravesham District Scout Association marked half-a-century at the Hopehill campsite and training ground, in South Street, Meopham, by buying an adjoining five-acre field.

They bought the field using a £30,000 legacy left to the group by an ex-member who went on to become a top surgeon.

The field will be planted with about 3,550 trees of different types to extend the existing woodland and create glades for camping and activities. And it all got started last Saturday, February 23 ,when Gravesham mayor Councillor Valerie Ashenden joined in to help plant a 500 metre, 1,500-tree hedge despite a snow and sleet blizzard.

The mammoth tree planting was planned for the same day as the scouts' district cross country competition with runners from six to 60 years old.

The deputy district commissioner for Gravesham, Glenn Mount, said: "We had about 200 members there who were running in the races plus their parents, friends and supporters. They all took time to plant a few trees."

He said the youngest assistant was about three years old and most people took their own shovels.

The day also included the unveiling of new entrance gates in memory of 80-year-old ex-Scout, Robert Hayes MBE, who was a member of the Rosherville Scouts, Northfleet, in the 1930s.

The shoulder high, top-of-the-range hardwood gates were donated by his widow, who attended the unveiling ceremony.