A BARNTON teenager has been chosen to attend the 12th International Scout Camp in Austria.

As well as studying for her GCSEs, Lydia Painter has been busy fundraising in order to raise £800 for the trip which takes place in August.

Lydia, 15, of Sycamore Crescent, is a young leader with 1st Barnton Guides and has been a member of Girlguiding UK since she joined Rainbows aged five.

She continued through Brownies and Guides where she completed the prestigious Baden Powell Award.

More than 3,000 participants from all around the world will be attending the camp in Berg, and Lydia had to attend an international selection weekend to be chosen as one of 10 representatives of Girlguiding Cheshire Forest.

Lydia and the Cheshire Forest Group will be taking part in the RaRo programme for Rangers and Rovers aged 16 to 20.

The programme involves building dens, cooking their own food and lots of socialising as well as lots of water related activities.

Lydia said: "I'm really excited.

"It's only now I have realised how close it is getting."

The Weaverham High School pupil has received grants and donations for a variety of sources, as well as saving money received as birthday and Christmas presents.

Barnton Guides is part of Marbury District - Girlguiding units in Barnton, Comberbach and Winnington have tried to help her in her fundraising efforts.

Last week the group held a sausage sizzle and singalong and raised around £100 towards the trip.

In her spare time, Lydia is also a keen musician, playing piano, clarinet and bassoon, and she is a member of her school choir, band and Vale Royal Concert Band.

She has also recently completed her silver Duke of Edinburgh Award.