A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD York boy is thought to be the first Beaver Scout in North Yorkshire to win Scouting's top honour.

Alexander Woodhouse was presented with the Chief Scout's Bronze Award by Assistant County Commissioner (Beaver Scouts), Elaine Carr.

Alex, a member of 1st Huntington (All Saints') Beaver Colony, responded brilliantly to the challenge after the Scouting movement changed its programme last year to make it more modern and relevant to today's youngsters.

For the first time, Beaver Scouts, who are aged between six and eight, became able to gain badges for undertaking challenges and learning and improving their interests and skills.

Huntington Beavers have already gained badges for friendship and outdoor challenges, swimming, animal friend, creativity and exploring.

Alex successfully completed three challenges to achieve his award - an outdoor challenge, a friendship challenge and a personal challenge.

The first two involved Alex taking part in various activities with fellow Beavers - for example, visiting York Cemetery and Fire Station, and taking part in nature walks, church parades and a district Christmas activity at the Scouts' activity centre at Snowball Plantation, Stockton-on-the-Forest.

For his personal challenge, Alex learned to play the drums in six weeks, and then demonstrated his new skill to the rest of the Beavers.

Beaver Scout leader Debbie Flintoft said: "Alex has worked very hard to achieve this award before his eighth birthday. We're very proud of him, and are looking forward to finding out if he's the first Beaver in the county to get it."

Updated: 08:37 Friday, March 14, 2003