Morecambe scout Liam's adventures with Bear Grylls

Liam says the survival weekend was "amazing"

While most of us spent the weekend getting rained on, Liam English, a 13 year old scout from Morecambe had a much more exciting time.

Liam spent the weekend with Chief Scout Bear Grylls on his private island off the Welsh coast for a 24 hour survival camp.

He was one of eight scouts to be selected by The Scout Association from its 400,000 youth members.

"It was great fun, absolutely amazing," he says.

All those who had achieved the Chief Scout's Gold Award, the highest accolade in scouting, were invited to apply to go to Bear Island.

Rabbits

Liam was one of only eight scouts chosen to take part

"To get selected for the trip, you had to tell Bear Grylls why you should be one of the lucky eight to be chosen," explains Liam.

"I did a small folder about achievements and good moments I've had in my scouts [group] so far.

"I was quite surprised that I was picked, but at the same time proud of myself for managing to get a place."

During the 24 hour adventure, Liam and his fellow scouts abseiled off a cliff face, learned how to light fires and skinned dead rabbits.

Liam says at one point they were told they would have to pluck and eat a pigeon: "I was thinking 'a pigeon?' but it was amazing when we ate it. It tastes like chicken and beef together."

'Very scary'

Liam spent the weekend with Chief Scout Bear Grylls

Another activity that stands out in Liam's memory was when the group when rock climbing. "I'm not very good at heights and it was hard for me," says Liam.

"So Bear gave me a second chance, and took me free rock climbing without ropes... very, very difficult and very scary."

Scouting currently has a shortfall of adult volunteers, which has led to a waiting list of more than 33,500 young people throughout the UK, 547 of which are in Lancashire, and Liam urges volunteers to join up: "I'd very much recommend scouting... adult volunteers are always welcome, you've got to give it a go," he says.

"It's such a worthwhile cause."