BRITAIN’S Chief Scout was greeted by hundreds of youngsters during a flying visit to Hampshire.

Adventurer Bear Grylls, 39, toured the Ferny Crofts Scout Activity Centre near Beaulieu after arriving by helicopter.
The centre is currently hosting about 250 Scouts from all over Hampshire.

Bear, who is making a nationwide tour of Scouting facilities, took part in a variety of activities during a one-hour visit.

Explorer Scout Peter Marcus, of Portsmouth, said: “It was wonderful to see such a prominent figure take the time to come and see what we do.

“The whole camp came out to hear him talk about Scouting.”
In 1998 Bear achieved his childhood dream of climbing Mount Everest, 18 months after breaking three vertebrae in a parachuting accident.

He has also circumnavigated the UK on jet skies and taken part in an unassisted crossing of the Atlantic in a rigid inflatable boat.

In 2009 he was appointed the youngest-ever Chief Scout at the age of 35.