A unique free Christmas postal delivery service for the elderly, which has run for more than 30 years, has been hailed as “a legend” by a grateful recipient.

Harpenden cub scouts continued the tradition on Saturday when they met up at the Crabtree Fields Scout HQ to collect and sort 3,118 cards - the highest number since 2002.

Nearly 100 cubs from the town’s 11 packs were involved and they went out delivering the cards on Sunday.

On Sunday afternoon, a group of detective cubs got together to work out how to deliver all those that were apparently impossible - a task at which they pride themselves on being successful at.

Town Mayor, Cllr Mary Maynard, joined the cubs for the sorting process and thanked them for their hard work.

One person who had her cards delivered said: “It’s really nice to know that there are young people happy to give a bit of time to those of us who are not so mobile.

“Everybody talks about it – the service is something of a Harpenden legend.”

Richard Harrington, the scheme originator and organiser, commented: “I am unaware of any similar scheme which is entirely free.

“It is very much in keeping with the community service ethos of scouting, is greatly enjoyed by the cubs and much appreciated by the elderly.”