A TEENAGER from Hereford is representing Hereford at the World Scout Jamboree, as 40,000 young people meet in north America.

Archie Best, 14, from Hereford is one of the 5,000 Scouts from the UK at the skills and adventure festival in West Virginia, hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico.

The Jamboree's theme this year focusses on how people can work towards a more sustainable world, and offers young people the chance to learn new skills that they can use in other aspects of their life and taste high adventure.

The 10-day festival is the culmination of two years of work for the leaders, which has involved camps and team building events preparing the young people for living on a humid site in America.

Archie said: "When we left home it felt really special as loads of people came to wave us off on our adventure.

"When we got to New York after going via Toronto, we stayed at Hofstra University. After a good night's sleep, we headed into the city.

"We had ice creams in Central Park as it was so sunny and hot. We went to the top of the Rockerfeller Tower and saw the most incredible views of the city. New York was awesome."

The event was opened by UK Chief Scout Bear Grylls on July 23rd.

He said: "World Scout Jamborees only happen every four years and tens of thousands of Scouts attend each one. They are incredible festivals of peace, friendship and adventure.

"Young people will make friends for life with people from over 150 countries, experience different food, language and culture while learning new skills. It will be the journey of a lifetime.