Guide groups in Marlborough and surrounding villages are in desperate need of volunteers to become leaders.

Wendy Beattie, district commissioner for Marlborough, has put out a plea for more women to come forward and help at branches in Aldbourne, Baydon, Ogbourne and Marlborough to plug the shortage of volunteers.

Mrs Beattie said: “People just don’t have the time these days.

“We’re looking for people who are enthusiastic, caring with good communication skills, people who are good with young girls.

“We do all sorts of things, painting, fundraising, outdoor activities and we’d like to do more but we struggle because of the shortage of volunteers.”

To be a warranted Guider you have to be over 18, but those younger can volunteer.

Mrs Beattie said: “Anyone can volunteer; we have a range of people who are guide leaders. “Until my daughter took over I was a Guide Leader and I’d been involved with the Guides and the Brownies since I was seven years old.

“But then we have women who have never had anything to do with the organisation before and have joining because their daughters have got involved.

“It’s a great thing to be involved in. Although the Scouts let girls join, the Guides is only for girls and I think that’s important because there are some things that young women wouldn’t want to talk about in front of boys.”

And Mrs Beattie believes that the volunteers get at least as much out of the experience as they put in. She said: “You get to meet new people and try new things and you can learn a lot.

“You see the girls learn new skills and gain life experiences and seeing their confidence grow is amazing, their enthusiasm is contagious.”

For more information or to volunteer, visit www.girlguiding.

org.uk/interested, email wendy beattie19@hotmail.com or call (01672) 540808.