MORE than 240 scouts, cubs and beavers across Mid Devon had a real battle with the elements when they spent the bank holiday weekend under canvas for their millennium camp.

Youngsters from Okehampton, North Tawton, South Zeal and Bow were among those taking part in the camp at Stone Mill, Chawleigh, which despite the unrelenting rain was a great success.

The event coincided with an estimated 500,000 scouts from all over the UK spending that weekend in tents at many different locations.

The winners of the cubs' camping competition were South Zeal who were also joint winners of the scout section with Chulmleigh.

From the outset, the weather did not look promising and the nine groups involved prepared themselves for what proved to be a hard period of camping.

However, this did not seem to deter the young people who appeared to be happy getting wet in the rain playing games and undertaking activities.

The campfire and carnival parade was rescheduled from Saturday to Sunday night and only the odd shower interrupted proceedings.

Monday brought a change in the weather and the youngsters experienced a glorious day with considerable sunshine. The field entrances became usable so traffic could enter and leave the site without the need to resort to tractors, and tents had dried out so they could be packed away!

Finally, everybody involved in the camp, from leaders to cubs, took part in a massive water fight.

At the closing ceremony camp co-ordinator Peter Jackson thanked everyone for taking part and proving that even in the worst conditions scouting could come through with flying colours.