IN A leafy corner of Bassett a group of Southampton Scouts are getting to grips with a giant.

Senior members of the 3rd Southampton (Leaside) Group have been trimming back the conifer trees which have been towering over their head-quarters.

It has been a mammoth task because in places they have grown to more than 13 feet.

By bringing the green giant under control the Scouts will be releasing more light into the grounds and making their area more environmentally friendly.

Scout leader Tom Massey, 23, says: "It is our major project at the moment. We started in January and hope to be finished by the end of the summer.

"Everything will be done by then including moving a wooden shed."

Supervised by leaders, Scouts have been involved in the major clean-up operation which has included clearing up leaves around the entrance.

It has helped to prepare the 3rd Southampton Scouts and Cub Scouts for a conservation and community project which is right on their doorstep.

And it could put them in contention for the Daily Echo Scouting Challenge Awards.

The group has already forged a strong link with its Leaside Way neighbours, the Hardmoor Early Years Centre.

It is playing an active role in the centre's Safe School Init-iative which is encouraging a wide cross-section of the community to help safeguard the environment.

The Scouts and Cub Scouts will soon be getting down to the environmental good deed of making planters and bird tables for the Hardmoor Early Years Centre grounds which nestles in an ancient woodland.

Head teacher Karen Stacey says: "We have cultivated a good relationship with the Scout group and they are good neighbours. They have already visited the school and taken measurements for the wooden planters and bird tables."

And the centre will be able to follow the Scouts' progress as they create the environmentally friendly furniture.

The head added: "We plan to grow vegetables and fruit in the planters which we will put round the seated areas."

Other planters will also be made to attract wildlife which is in great abundance in the Hardmoor centre's ground.

There are more conservation projects in the pipeline for the centre's Scouting neighbours.

They will be helping to create a woodland walk in the Hardmoor copse.

There are some rare plants in the ancient woodland and the school is taking expert advice from The Hawthorns - the city's urban wildlife centre - before deciding on the route of the path.

Meanwhile eye-catching packs, detailing the Daily Echo Scouting Challenge, have gone to Scout groups across the county.

Leaders are being asked to register their troops by February 28. But if anyone has any difficulties in meeting the deadline or any other queries, contact the Hampshire Scouting county office on 023 8084 7847.

The Daily Echo has teamed up with Southampton City Council and Odeon Cinemas who are offering some great prizes and special offers to all Scouts and Cubs.

And the challenge will be part of their Global Conservation Challenge badge.

Once the challenge has been completed each troop/pack must complete a project board, detailing how the challenge was completed with the help of photographs, illustrations and written explanations.

Everyone who takes part will receive a special certificate along with one to be proudly displayed at their headquarters.

The Daily Echo will be following the progress of the project and to help we are asking all those who are taking part to e-mail their photographs and reports to Duncan Eaton using the e-mail link above.

And the challenge's grand final will at The Friends Provident St Mary's Stadium - Southampton's state-of-the-art ground - where the winners will be invited to a special presentation evening.