SCOUTS in Uphill have been given a ray of hope by a kind-hearted shop owner after callous thieves stole their lanterns

SCOUTS in Uphill have been given a ray of hope by a kind-hearted shop owner after callous thieves stole their lanterns.

Three were taken from a container outside 1st Uphill Scout Group's headquarters, in Windwhistle Lane, over the Christmas period.

But now Andy Eddy, who owns Bleadon Camping Spares, has offered to replace the Coleman dual fuel lights, which were to be used by the youngsters for a camping trip in the Lake District later this year.

Mr Eddy will also donate a number of cooking stoves to the group costing almost £400 after reading about the scout's plight in the Weston & Somerset Mercury.

Scout leader Mark Whitehouse said: "I was extremely saddened that there are people who take from an organisation such as scouts.

"Now Mr Eddy has stepped forward it makes me realise that there are still people out there who are both generous and care for the community around them."

The lanterns, costing around £70 each, were stolen some time between December 22 and January 2.

The exact date is unknown due to the remoteness of the location and because the buildings were not in use during the festive period.

Police are investigating the matter and are asking for anyone who was in the area at the time to contact Weston Police Station, in Walliscote Road, on 0845 456 7000.

Officers also want to hear from anyone who has been offered the lanterns.