A Coatbridge Scout troupe is celebrating winning vital funds to upgrade its hall.

The Second Coatbridge Scout Group, based in Bute Street, Whifflet, scooped a £6250 RBS CommunityForce award in the recent online poll for deserving causes across Scotland.

The initiative to help support local charities, organisations and groups handed out more than 80 awards, with the Coatbridge Scouts one of the lucky few to register enough votes.

Organisations and charities applied for awards during the summer and an online public vote took place to decide which three organisations in each area would receive the awards.

Scout leader Gary Patterson, the project promoter, said it is fantastic to get so much support from the local community.

He said: “These are the sort of things you hear other youth organisations and community groups win and never thought it would be us.

“Having our own scout hall means we need to run many fundraising events each year to pay the bills and maintain the hall.

“We always get great backing and support from parents and the local community.”

The group has been active in the Coatbridge and Airdrie area since 1907 and still has more than 75 members, aged between six and 25, attending every week.

Gary said a new heating system had been earmarked by the Scouting team to put the money to good use, which he hopes will reduce bills and overhead costs.

He added: “It is never easy raising money and it’s strange looking at the group bank account and there are four figures in it now.”

Find the Second Coatbridge Scouts online.