TWO young Scouts had a lucky escape yesterday after they got stuck in a bog while hiking in the New Forest.

A massive search involving police and the coastguards spotted the boys miles away from their destination and going in the wrong direction.

Police said the boys, both 14, were spotted by the coastguard helicopter in Matley Bog - south of Beaulieu Road.

Earlier, the boys had set off from Fernycroft Scout Enclosure heading for the Happy Cheese at Ashurst.

After a two-hour search the boys were spotted by the coastguard helicopter at around 1.15pm.

A coastguard spokesman said: "We found them and handed them back to the police safe and well."

The boys were taken to nearby Lymington hospital, where they were later reunited with their families.

A police spokesman said: "Bearing in mind the weather, they were lucky they were out there in a lull."