Scout commissioner Keith Bennett received the second highest award in the national youth organisation when he received the bar to his Silver Acorn during a St George’s Day ceremony on Sunday.

During the service at Larkhill Garrison Church, Mr Bennett, 57, from Market Lavington, received the award from Roger Reeves OBE, the deputy county commissioner. Mr Bennett has been involved in the Scout movement for most of his life and has been a Scout leader for 37 years.

He said: “It really is a wonderful honour for me. There were only three bars to the Silver Acorn awarded in the county this year and I am delighted to have received one of them.”

Mr Bennett, a planning consultant, is also in charge of the Devizes start of the Devizes to Westminster canoe race.