A REDDITCH Explorer Scout has received the organisation’s top honour at a ceremony at Windsor Castle.

Aaron Pinder, 21, a leader with Redditch District Explorer Scouts, joined 250 other Scouts from across the country to be handed his Queen’s Scout award by the Duke of Kent and joined by chief Scout Bear Grylls.

The award is the highest goal a Scout can achieve, and is only given to those who achieve a set of outstanding personal goals.

In order to complete his award, Aaron had to undergo an expedition across Dartmoor, walking for four days and camping for three nights over a distance of 50 miles.

He also has to complete a volunteering task, learn a new skill, take on a new physical challenge and attend a residential course.

He said: “I helped organise and build go-carts for a 24-hour race, attended a running club at Arrow Valley Lake and showed improvement over a nine-month period and helped at a waterway recovery group, where I helped to build a new lock in Chesterfield.

“I have learned so many new life skills, including teamwork and map reading, as well as realised how easy it is to make new friends.”

Chief Scout and adventurer, Bear Grylls said: “All these young people have strived so hard to learn new skills and achieve their Queen’s Scout awards, and I am full of admiration for their spirit, grit and determination.”