Cubs put their heads together on Sunday to deliver a record number of Christmas cards for the elderly in Harpenden.

For the past 33 years, Harpenden cubs have run the service which is thought to be a unique scheme in the country.

Fortunately the weather was very clement which helped as the cubs set about delivering 3,752 cards, saving pensioners some £2,000 in postage costs.

Vice-president of Harpenden and Wheathampstead Scouts, Rikki Harrington, said: “More importantly, though the cubs - and their parents it seems - enjoy doing it and the users appreciate it - it’s a win-win.”

Over 100 cubs from the town’s 12 packs took part and were helped with the sorting by Harpenden Mayor, Cllr Nicola Linacre.

Scouting is booming in Harpenden - there are now more than 1,600 members, a growth of 6 per cent in the past year.