Accolade for top scout leader

Black Country scout leader Derek Elton is to be awarded the movement's highest honour after nearly 70 years of dedicated service. Mr Elton will be one of a select few to receive the Silver Wolf.

The award honours members who have given exceptional service. The 81-year-old grandfather has also been invited to an event held annually at Windsor Castle for those who have been presented with the award to be attended by the Queen at the weekend.

A Silver Wolf is given only to members of the Scout movement who have already achieved a Silver Acorn and Silver Acorn with Bar awards.

"I am absolutely over the moon to be awarded the Silver Wolf. It is a real thrill," he said.

"I have congratulations coming in from all over the place at the moment. It is wonderful."

Mr Elton, of Vicarage Road, Wollaston, Stourbridge, joined the Scouts at the age of 15 as a member of the 1st Stourbridge St Thomas group.

He went on to become the cub master for the group before becoming involved in the administrative side of the movement as a whole.

He became a district cub master for the Stourbridge and District Scout Association and later became assistant district commissioner for the association. Mr Elton then moved out of the Hereford and Worcester scouting area but became involved with the West Mercia area, becoming district commissioner of Dudley West Scout District.

The positions required monitoring all the groups in the area and co-ordinating activities.

Mr Elton remains involved with the movement to this day and is vice-president of West Mercia Scout County along with being chairman and president for Kinver Scout camp. He is also a founding member of Stourbridge Age Concern and is president of the branch and on its board of directors.

"This award is very much appreciated and I am looking forward to visiting Windsor Castle," he added.

Before his retirement Mr Elton, who has been married to wife Joyce for 60 years, worked as an insurance broker for Lloyds of London.

The couple have two grown-up daughters, Dawn and Dale, and six grandchildren.