SCOUT leaders have praised Wyre Forest residents' festive spirit after cash was collected during several bag packing events.

Explorer Scouts, Scouts and Cub Scouts were on-hand to pack shoppers' bags in Asda, Sainsbury's and Tesco in Kidderminster and the Co-Op, Stourport, during the build up to the holiday period.

Mark Searl, Kidderminster and District Scouting event co-ordinator said: "The young people and leaders along with adult helpers love working in the community and take their role of bag packing very seriously.

"Hopefully all parties have benefited from the service from shopper to supermarket to Scouting group."

The group's post co-ordinator, Ben Brookes, added the Scouts annual Christmas mail sorting and delivery service had also been a success. Cash raised by the sale of stamps has been earmarked to go back into Scouting in Kidderminster.