Young members of the 12th Hitchin scout group are hard at work raising the cash they need to pay for an ambitious planned trip across the Atlantic.

They’re pictured with leader Barry Rust selling jams and preserves in the town’s Market Place, and the Church House-based squad will also be at Saturday’s St John’s Community Centre gala day selling ice cream, popcorn and other items to add to their coffers.

Places in the party for the 2017 trip to Lake Placid in the USA will be available to all members of the group, said Barry.

He added: “There would be a huge sense of accomplishment if they manage to raise enough to subsidise all of them to go on this amazing trip. They are also attempting to earn a new badge that has been released – the fundraising badge – so we are killing two birds with one stone.”

A welcome boost during the Market Place session came from the team at the nearby Rose Buds tea shop, which chipped in £100 towards the cause.