THE 1st Chudleigh Scout Group celebrated on Saturday when its new headquarters, in the town centre play park, was opened by Lord Clifford, Teignbridge District Scouts' president.

As well as being the headquarters for nearly 150 Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers, the new facilities will also be home for the Teign Valley Children's Centre and the Daisy Chain Pre-school.

Darren Le Marquand, the Scout group leader, thanked the people and companies who made the dream of a new building come true. They included group chairman Dave Waller, who tirelessly undertook the background work and co-ordinated the entire build, Allan Barber who raised money with funding applications and letters, Chris Watson and Gary Dobson who helped with the building, and Viridor Waste Management who played a large part in financing the build.

The project qualified for funding through the Landfill Communities Fund, and Viridor, operator of the landfill site between Chudleigh and Kingsteignton, released £20,000 to Ugbrooke Environmental Ltd for distribution to 1st Chudleigh Scouts as partnership funding.

Former Teignbridge and Chudleigh Town councillor, Pat Wills, who worked hard on raising money for the original hut, had the main hall of the new headquarters named after her and she was also given the freedom of the town.

The opening attracted a large crowd who took the opportunity to look around the building and see the facilities.

The purpose built facility was designed by Gary Dobson, of Devon CAD, and constructed by Newton Abbot firm Freemat Construction.