DETERMINED parents have taken over the running of a Kidderminster brownies group to stop it from folding.

Stephanie Horrocks and Amanda Williams were worried that the 6th Kidderminster Brownies, based at Trinity Methodist Church in Churchfields, could close due to a lack of volunteers so became leaders to ensure its survival.

And the pair are now encouraging more people to get involved with the reassurance that there are no waiting lists for girls to join.

Stephanie, who is a police detective working for West Mercia Police CID, said she was encouraged back into girl guiding by her seven-year-old daughter Liberty while mother-of-three Kidderminster Medical Practice manager Amanda’s daughter Erin is also a brownie.

Mother-of-two Stephanie said: “There have been recent articles about how many young people are waiting on lists for all uniformed organisations because of a lack of volunteers.

“But we did not want to see this well-established unit close so have taken it upon ourselves. And there is no waiting list for girls to join if they are interested.

“Any girls from any area of the district aged between seven and 10 years old are welcome.”

She added: “It is a fun organisation where the girls can meet new friends, develop their interests and learn new skills whilst earning badges and girls do not have to have been a rainbow prior to brownies.”

The group meets every Wednesday during term time at the Church hall from 5.45pm to 7.15pm.

Anyone interested in joining can visit the website girlguiding.org.uk and ‘Register your daughter’ or attend a taster session when the group returns on September 13.

They are also urging volunteers to join up as leaders and parents who can act as occasional helpers to get in touch.