AN adventurous teenager was this week taken from the rolling moors above East Lancashire to the rapids of a fast-moving American mountain river.

Rioja Clayton, 15 from Darwen on Wednesday found herself white-water rafting in West Virginia.

She admitted a certain nervousness before setting off down the frothing, fast-flowing stream of an Appalachian Mountain watercourse.

Rioja was one of 45,000 Scouts from around the globe, including 5,000 from the UK, taking part in the World Scout Jamboree in the Eastern seaboard US state.

She told the Lancashire Telegraph on Thursday: “The Jamboree was amazing and a unique experience like no other.

"I have had the opportunity to meet fellow Scouts from across the world and learn about their faiths, beliefs and cultures.

"Yesterday, I did white water rafting . It was something I knew I wanted to do, but it took my long time to build up the courage to actually do it.

"We had to work as team which helped really build my skills as team player and, as I took the role of team leader, I advanced my leadership abilities too.”

She described West Virginia, at the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, as 'wild and wonderful' and has also gone and zip-lining.

The Jamboree, two years in the making, offers young people the chance to learn new skills t and taste high adventure.

Scouts attended the event, which ran from July 23 to yesterday, from nearly every country in the world.

It was opened by UK Chief Scout Bear Grylls who said: ‘World Scout Jamborees are incredible festivals of peace, friendship and adventure.

"Young people will make friends for life from over 150 countries, experience different food, language and culture while learning new skills.

"It is the journey of a lifetime. The theme is 'Unlock a new world' – focusing on how we can create a sustainable world together.’