Telford scouts to lay wreath at the Menin Gate

Fifteen cubs and scouts from the 1st Edgmond group, near Newport, will make the trip to Menin Gate in Ypres for the ceremony on August 4.

They will lay a wreath at the memorial, which is located at the eastern exit of the town and marks the starting point for one of the main roads out of the town that led Allied soldiers to the frontline.

They will be representing scouts from right across the country. This year's ceremony will be particularly poignant as it will mark 100 years since the start of World War I. August 4 1914 was the day Great Britain declared war on Germany.

Yvonne Brunger, 1st Edgmond Scouts leader, said: "We will be taking 15 children aged between eight and 17. It is an unbelievable honour for us. We applied to The Last Post but didn't think in a month of Sundays that we would be chosen.

"We are very proud that we have been given this opportunity to represent not only Edgmond and Newport, but the whole scouting community. This is a once in a lifetime experience for our scouts."

The scout group plans to write the names of Edgmond's fallen soldiers on the wreath.

The group needs to raise about £6,000 to pay for the trip. Cubs, scouts and leaders will also be chipping in. Members have done two car boot sales in nearby Church Aston and have also bagged some sponsors.

And they are also selling 1,000 crocheted poppies, handmade by two women in Church Aston.

They are on sale for a minimum donation of £2.50. Some of the proceeds will go to the Royal British Legion. They are available from Foden Estate Agents in High Street, Newport.

Mrs Brunger added: "We want people to wear poppies all year round. They have been beautifully made and every pound people donate allows these children to experience new and exciting things. If anyone would like to donate or suggest fundraising ideas, they can contact me via our website, www.edgmondscouts.co.uk"