Scouts past and present celebrated their troop’s 100th birthday.

Nearly 200 people attended 1st Witham Scout Group’s centenary party yesterday, which coincided with the official opening of its new headquarters off Newland Street, Witham.

Guests included Bob Ashcroft - the first cub invested after the Second World War - new MP Priti Patel, town mayor Patricia Lee, chief executive of the Scout Association Derek Twine and Dean Sutton, a member of the Development Grant Board which gave £60,000 towards the HQ building project.