A HAMPSHIRE scout group will return home triumphant after helping to clinch the UK's bid to host the Centennial World Scout Jamboree in 2007.

The group: the 13th Itchen North (Hampshire) set off two weeks ago on their jamboree mission to South Africa.

During their three-week expedition the 30-strong party of youngsters and leaders have been spearheading the UK's bid to stage scouting's most prestigious global gathering.

The Itchen North Scouts made their ten minute presentation - including a video of camp sites where the jamboree could be held at the international convention centre in Durban during the World Scout Conference.

Details of the actual location have yet to be worked out, but Hampshire scouting chiefs are delighted that the county has played a major role in ensuring that the centenary jamboree will be staged on UK soil where scouting began in 1907.

County press officer Jill Sutton said: "These scouts are at present camping in South Africa and the troop, under the leadership of Roy Willott, has been active in securing this prestigious event. It is good news that the UK application has now been successful."

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