THERE were emotional scenes at a Hampshire hotel when 13 youngsters were reunited with their families after spending five weeks on the other side of the world.

Within minutes of the reunion at Southampton's Novotel the group of Scouts got their photo albums out to give their loved ones an insight into their £1,800 trip-of-a-lifetime to Belize.

More than 100 people gathered to hear about the expedition to renovate a conservation building, deep in the Central American jungle.

Each of the 13 Scouts, aged 15 to 24, raised the cash for the trip themselves and covered the cost of materials used to re-roof the field base.

The trip also gave them the chance to meet Scouts from Belize.

During their trip the youngsters encountered army ants, snakes - and makeshift toilets.

Scout leader Paul Vincent, from Stoney Cross, said: "Working with the group and seeing them develop was the best experience - everyone has shone."