CENTRAL Devon MP Mel Stride has lent his support to the launch of North Tawton Squirrels later this month – a new age group within the Scout movement that caters for four-to-five year-olds.

Run by local resident Rowena Ford with the support of the First North Tawton Scout Group, the club will help young people gain valuable skills for life and help them build self-confidence.

Rowena explained: “Many young children have been hit hard by the pandemic, missing out on opportunities at one of the most important ages in their life, when communication, language and creativity are being developed and nurtured.

“The Squirrel programme is designed to support informal learning and help four-to-five-year-olds catch up. It’s also about promoting teamwork and a sense of community.”

Mr Stride said: “Expanding the Scout movement to cater for four-to-five-year-olds is fantastic and I’m delighted that one of the first groups in Devon will be here in North Tawton.

“Rowena is doing a really great job and I will do whatever I can to support the group.”

For more information about North Tawton Squirrels please contact Rowena Ford on 01837 82019 or email: [email protected] .

The group will meet at North Tawton Rugby Club every Thursday from 5pm to 6pm, beginning on April 28.