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Flood delays community-build scout hut reopening

BBC The exterior of the scout hut. The single-storey building is painted white with a yellow and green mural on it that reads: "SCOUTS"BBC
The 21st Whitley Bay scout hut was due to reopen

Flood damage has delayed the reopening of a scout hut that had been repaired by the community.

Volunteers have spent the last few months renovating the home of the 21st Scouts in Whitley Bay.

The hut was just about ready to reopen when flooding on Tuesday night damaged floors, walls and the newly installed disabled toilets.

Volunteer Sean, who goes by the nickname "the baldy Geordie painter", said the group was feeling "a bit deflated", but added: "Another week or so and I reckon we should be able to open the doors."

He said the damage did not appear bad at first glance, but: "Once it was opened up [we saw] it's the whole building that got wet.

"[We'll] get the building as dry as we can and go from there."

The scout hut was due to open after months of restoration work from volunteers

Scout leader Michelle Parrack had asked for help to restore the hut on Rink Way back in February.

"I was a bit upset when I came and seen the flooding," she said.

"It is what it is, we're just going to have to crack on and get on with it and we'll get there."

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