A SCOUT group is celebrating after the trailer they had stolen from them five months ago was found and returned by police.

Members of Howe Bridge Scouts had spent months fundraising for the trailer/horse box they planned to use to carry their equipment for camping trips but it was pinched in March just two days after being moved to their Leigh Road base.

An eagle-eyed young member of the 2nd Atherton Scouts spotted it while on her paper round near her Atherleigh home, despite it having been painted a different colour, and told group leaders.

They contacted Greater Manchester Police, who were able to recover the trailer and return it to the Howe Bridge group.

Paul Grimshaw, Beaver Scout leader and assistant Scout leader of the group, said: “The man who had the trailer said he had bought it from an unknown man on the side of a road in North Wales.

"It is incredible that it happened to make it back so close to where we are based.

“The children at the group did a lot of fundraising to buy this trailer, so it means so much to get it back. We are really pleased."

The man who was in possession of the trailer will not be prosecuted as he has been deemed to be an innocent purchaser.

The trailer, which has a distinctive horseshoe marking, cost the group £650 to buy and renovate.

When it was stolen generous businesses, charities and individuals donated money to the group so they could buy a replacement.

Paul added: "We have been in touch with those kind enough to donate money to us and they have said we can use the money for other things for our group.

"We are so grateful to them, and their generous donations will not go to waste."