THE hard work and determination of two Watford Scouts has been rewarded with the top achievement award the Scouting Association has to offer.

Zoe Walford and Iain Brunt were presented with the Queen's Scout Award by Hertfordshire County Commissioner for Scouts Roger Sands at a special ceremony at the First North Watford Scouts' hall on Friday.

The award the pair had to under take voluntary work, community service, learn a skill and plan and carry out an expedition.

Ms Walford, 20, of Minerva Drive, who has been working towards the award for five years, said: "It's taken a long time to get and a lot of hard work. I'm really happy."

The former chairman of Alpha Venture Unit, who is currently studying for an Open University degree in social science and social policy, developed her climbing skills, worked at the Lees Wood camp site in Chandlers Cross, helped out at a cub pack and organised a four-day hike in Wales.

She said: "The best thing about it is the people I've met and its's been really rewarding helping the kids. I like the leadership side of it – you can pass on your knowledge to the younger ones and they learn from what you've done."

Mr Brunt, a 25-year-old postman, of Bramble Close, said he had nearly missed out on the award before the Scouting Association changed the venture scout age limit to 25.

To gain his award he became a cub scout leader, managed a work crew at Lees Wood, developed his climbing and Tae Kwondo and organised an expedition to Switzerland for the Alpha Unit.

He said: "The hardest part of the expedition was the logistics, getting everyone there on time, getting all the equipment ready and sorting everyone's passports.

"It feels brilliant to achieve this. It was one of my main goals that I wanted to achieve."