Members of the 34th Reigate (Meadvale) Explorers celebrated a first in the group's history with three of their number – triplets Zoe, Toby and Lawrence Hiller-Wood - gaining Scouting's top award at Windsor Castle.

The Hiller-Woods, 18, were the first triplets in the history of the group to be named Queen’s Scouts. They were invited to be among 500 new Queen's Scouts from across the UK to parade at Windsor Castle.

They were greeted there by TV star, adventurer and Chief Scout, Bear Grylls, who was joined by the Duke of Kent, President of The Scout Association.

The Queen's Scout Award, the highest honour in Scouting, is presented for outstanding personal achievement to young people aged between 16 and 25, who have completed a range of challenges, including service to their community, completing an expedition, learning a new skill or developing an existing talent.

The triplets completed a range of challenges for their Queen's Scout Awards which included hiking more than 60 miles across the Isle of Wight, and spending a week helping the National Trust on Reigate Hill.

Mr Grylls said: "All these young people have lived the adventure of a lifetime to achieve their Queen's Scout Awards, and I admire that spirit so much.

"They are huge inspirations to the other 550,000 Scouts in the UK."

The Windsor Castle event has been held regularly since 1934 on the Sunday nearest to St George's Day.