THOUSANDS of Cubs and Scouts descended on a Hampshire showground yesterday for the start of a week-long celebration to mark the centenary of the Scouting movement.

Over 4,000 Cubs, Scouts, Explorer Scouts and Network Scouts from across the country converged at New Park near Brockenhurst for the H007 event, which is the second largest Scouting celebration in the UK.

The showground was turned into a huge encampment as the youngsters, all aged between seven and 18, prepared to celebrate the Scouting movement's 100th birthday in style.

From on-site restaurants and Internet cafes to an outdoor cinema, the showground has it all.

The Scouts, who were also joined by Cubs and Scouts from Gambia, Canada, Ghana and Norway, will spend the week taking part in a range of activities including rock climbing and a trip to Thorpe Park.

Last week heavy rain at the New Forest Show turned the showground into a quagmire, but H007 spokeswoman Allie Curtis said the Scouts would not let the mud stop them.

She said: "We had to move a few of the encampments around because of the mud, but luckily the weather had been kind to us and it's starting to dry up.

"We won't let a bit of mud stop us!"