A scout group, forced out of its headquarters by damp and rot, hopes work on a new eco-friendly hut will start soon thanks to a number of generous tradesmen.

A scout group, forced out of its headquarters by damp and rot, hopes work on a new eco-friendly hut will start soon thanks to a number of generous tradesmen.

The 1st Mundesley (Air) Scouts began raising money for the new community centre, which will cost around �150,000, to replace the rotten and leaking building on Cromer Road more than three years ago.

Set to be called the Aspire Centre, the hut will be made from straw and other environmentally-friendly materials and will be used by a number of groups in the town.

Fundraising events, a �25,000 grant from the Norfolk Youth Fund and a �50,000 contribution from the parish council after it took out a loan, had already helped secure �100,000 towards the project - leaving the scouts to find another �50,000.

But now a number of local tradesmen have offered to do some of the work for free, while some of the fittings have been generously donated.

Heather Palmer, group scout leader, hopes work will begin soon and said the help could not have come at a better time. She added: 'We were using the old hut up until Christmas, but it's so wet and it leaks like a sieve so we cannot let the kids down there anymore.'

The scouts are now homeless and will be taking part in a number of outside exercises while leaders search for a temporary building.

But there is better news for the younger members of the group - the beavers and cubs had their first meeting at Mundesley First School on Monday .

Anyone who would like to help should contact the group leader on 01263 722351.