TENS of thousands of young people are being forced to wait to join the Scouts due to a lack of volunteers.

Record numbers of people are signing up to help out, but many have a limited amount of time to give, according to the Scout Association.

In total 154,000 adults volunteer for the organisation, more than at any other point in its history, according to the latest annual membership figures.

More young people are getting involved, with 7,000 joining the Scouts in the 21 months to the end of January.

But the waiting list has also grown with 51,000 on standby for a place - the highest figure in Scouting's history.

Tim Kidd, UK chief commissioner at the Scout Association, said: "Our adult volunteers today seek much more flexible volunteering arrangements than in the past, so that they can fit it around their busy lives.

"Many adults who are signing up with the Scouts have a limited amount of time to donate to us, and so we need more volunteers as a whole in order to accommodate the continued demand for Scouting among young people."

He urged people to volunteer for the Scouts, adding that the organisation is making it easier for those with limited time to join by being flexible about a range of roles, including group leaders, administrative and trustee positions.

Around 17,000 more volunteers are needed.

Chief Scout Bear Grylls said: "Our challenge is to keep recruiting even more adults as we've got 51,000 young people wanting to join and benefit from what Scouting offers.

"Volunteering changes us all for the better. Please join me."

Has a lack of volunteers been a problem at your nearest Scout group?

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