An 18-year-old from the Tonbridge Scout Network has gained the highest award in scouting.

Katie Allen, from Paddock Wood, has gained the Queen’s Scout award after completing a series of challenges that include serving the community, learning a new skill and undertaking an expedition in unfamiliar terrain.

The young leader with Tsades Beaver Scout Colony, based in Paddock Wood, also went to the Czech Republic to study the nation’s culture and ran a musical theatre club at her school where she taught song arrangements, harmonies and dance routines as part of her skills requirement.

Katie, who plans to go to Southampton University in September, also spent 16 days in Bereko, Tanzania, to help a school, church and community centre raise £800 to buy musical instruments before teaching the children how to play them.

Katie also spent a week sailing around the British Isles with 12 other girls and was received an Amory award for her efforts.

She said: “The most challenging activity for my Queen’s Scout was the expedition of nearly 150 km which I led around the hills of the Cambrian Mountains in 5 days.”