Four teens hoping to take part in the world’s biggest scouting event helped Christmas shoppers last week by packing bags at M&S in Irvine.

Euan Ferguson, 16, Katie Roy and Liam Hamilton, both 14, and 13-year-old Charlie Clark of the 19th Kilwinning Scouts were on hand at the checkouts during the three days leading up to Christmas.

The youngsters are trying to raise almost £16,000 after being selected to attend the 24th World Scout Jamboree 2019 in West Virginia.

It is thought that the scouts might have raised over £2,000 with their Christmas bag packing events, where they were also joined by other scouts, cubs, leaders and family members.

Alan Roy, ESL at Kilwinning Scouts, said: “The youngest participant was a cub, Shannon Hamilton, who’s 10. She did very well helping pack tins of beans for three hours at a time.

“The oldest participant was Ned Kerr who’s 69.

“We’ve still to get the amount all confirmed but we reckon it’s in excess of £2,000, which we really appreciate. When we’ve bag packed before we’ve not had anything like that sort of money.

“We’d like to thank the staff and the management at M&S, Stewart Morgan, M&S section manager, and the customers, both regular and Christmas.

“Also thanks for the support from the cub scouts and leaders, Jeanette Isdale, scout leader, and the input from the four families.”

To help the scouts reach their target, visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/darren-clark-4.