A SCOUT leader from Salisbury who has dedicated his life to helping youngsters learn new skills and experience new challenges has been awarded one of the highest accolades in Scouting.

Mark Warner, who has been the leader of 4th Salisbury Scouts in Harnham for the last 22 years, is to receive the Silver Acorn in recognition of distinguished service.

He said: “I was shocked when I opened the envelope and I really didn’t expect it at all. It’s an award you have to be nominated for and no one told me I had been.

“Scouting was a great adventure and inspiration to me as a lad and I’ve wanted to give other youngsters a chance to experience what I have.”

The Silver Acorn, which was first introduced as a St George’s Day award in 1933, is given to adults in Scouting who have dedicated more than 20 years service to the movement.

Mr Warner is an assistant district commissioner and he recently led a contingent of Scouts from across the county to attend the 22nd World Jamboree in Sweden.

• Scout groups from across Salisbury and south Wiltshire will be celebrating St George’s Day on Sunday with a parade through the city. It will begin at the Cathedral Close and travel along Catherine Street and New Canal before attending a service at St Thomas’s Church.