AN 82-year-old man has received a special award after completing six decades of service to scouting.

Barrie Smith of Bishops Rise, Hatfield, joined the scouts in 1938 and in recent times has supported local groups as a member of the District Scout Fellowship.

Unfortunately Mr Smith was taken ill at the QE2 Hospital on the morning of the presentation, so his wife June collected the Mid-Herts Scouts accolade on his behalf.

June, a former cub leader herself, said: “It was a great tribute to Barrie.

“Scouting friends from as far back as the 1950s came and to hear their comments and scouting stories about Barrie was very touching.

“The presentation was well put on and you could really feel the fellowship that exists in scouting.”

Mr Smith has fulfilled numerous roles including running both the senior scout and venture scout sections in Times Territory for more than 30 years.

This latest honour follows the Silver Acorn award for distinguished service, presented to the Hatfield man by the Scout Association in 1985.

The ceremony also acted as a farewell for the couple as they are moving to Wales next week after living in the town for 55 years.