A Cub Scout leader has been presented with the top award in Scouting.

Alex Armstrong, leader of 2nd Onchan Manannan Cub pack was presented the Queen’s Scouting Award this week by island Commissioner Guy Thompson.

Mr Armstrong said: ’I’m really pleased. I’d actually done most of the stuff I needed for it because of everything else I’ve done like the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award.

’I will be 25 in March and that is the limit for how old you can be to receive this so I’ve managed to get it in just in time really.’

’I’ve been in 2nd Onchan since I was six, through Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorer Scouts, it has been a massive part of my life.’

To achieve the accolade, he has to be able to display how he has demonstrated international, community and values based Scouting.

This included participating in a project based on reducing our carbon footprint on a local level, organised an international quiz and food night for his Explorer pack and working with Cubs to achieve their faith badges, displaying proper values and much more.

Second Onchan group leader Julian ’Ash’ Ashcroft said: ’It’s a heck of an achievement, first to achieve it in Onchan in 40 years, he had no prompting it was all his own initiative, he’s a very self motivated man and we’re very proud of him.’

Mr Thompson detailed the history of the award while presenting it, noting that the island has had three recipients in the last eight years, showing how much of an achievement it is.

The Queen’s Scouting Award was started by King Edward VII as the King’s Scout Badge in 1909 following a recommendation by Scout founded Robert Baden-Powell.

In 1952, it became the Queen’s Scout Badge before settling on Queen’s Scouting Award in 1967.

Besides the recognition, and the badge to go with it, Mr Armstrong has been invited to Windsor Castle. The invitation goes to the Scouts who receive the recognition over the year where they are formally presented by a representative of the Queen on the nearest Sunday to St George’s Day.

As well as his Scouting, Mr Armstrong was called to the bar last September and works as an advocate at Callin Wild.

He told The Manx Independent: ’I must thank my bosses as they have been very supportive in giving me the time to be able to achieve this.

’My Cub pack for their support, Steve White, my Explorers leader and Ash who have always been very supportive.

’And the Steam Packet, they helped me with reduced travel costs when I had to go away at an awkward time of year, but once I explained it to them, they were happy to help.’