A group of Ashford scouts have returned home after being stranded in Alaska by volcanic activity.

Sixteen scouts and leaders from the 6th Ashford group spent a fortnight on a summer camp in the frozen north of Alaska earlier this month.

They were hosted by American scouts on a campsite just outside Anchorage where they explored the city, went white water rafting and viewed the local wildlife, including brown bears and moose.

But when it came time to return home local volcanic activity led to all flights being cancelled.

Local Girl Scout and church groups helped out the troop with accommodation and the extended stay did little to dampen spirits.

Camp organiser Pam Packman, said: “The cancellation of flights came as a shock, but we put the time to good use.

“The group got to know local people just a little bit better and took the chance to visit the Arctic Circle and take part in some glacier walking and despite the delays the scouts really experienced the trip of a lifetime.”

The group eventually left Anchorage at the end of their third week, returning home via Chicago.