SCOUTS from across Bucks got an extra special treat during an activity weekend in Marlow when TV star and survival expert Bear Grylls dropped by.

The organisation’s Chief Scout, who is currently fronting Channel Four show The Island, surprised the young adventurers during Longridge’s annual Water Adventure Weekend.

And the intrepid former scout even took part in some of the centre’s activities, before meeting and greeting some of his biggest fans.

Longridge founder Amanda Foister said: “Every year Bucks Scouts hold a Water Adventure Weekend at Longridge and it is always a wild, wet and popular weekend.

“This year, it was extra special as Bear dropped in to surprise the Scouts, spending around 45-minutes talking to the young Scouts about the weekend and Scouting in general – his appearance certainly made an impression!”

The visit was the final leg of Bear’s tour of the UK, which he completed during his time as Chief Scout as part of his mission to inspire more adults to volunteer for Scouting.

He used the time to say thank you to all existing adult volunteers who help deliver adventure and the benefits of Scouting to communities throughout the South East of England and London.

And four lucky scouts, two of them from Marlow, were given the honour of showing the chief scour around the Longridge centre.

District Commissioner Rachel Robinson said: “He was fantastic with the young people. They thought it was a great honour to meet him.

“He talked to some of the scouts who were building their raft for the rafting competition.

“I had a chat with him and he is so down to earth. Very much like he seems on the TV, there is no pretence.

“It was absolutely fantastic, and great for the young people to get to meet him. He is a wonderful chief scout.”

The former SAS reservist, who was nearly paralysed in a parachuting accident during his time with the force, became the youngest ever chief scout when he was appointed to the role in 2009.

He said: “I was super excited to visit the Scouts in Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes. I met a lot of inspiring young people who play a positive part in the adventure that Scouting provides.

“I’m so proud to be Chief Scout and it’s always humbling to see at first hand the adventures that our members are taking part in and their enthusiasm in making a difference.”