A SCOUT group has completed a challenge to turn a banana into a £4,000 trailer to help them to carry their equipment on their adventures.

Assistant cub scout leader John Worrall of the 5th Tyldesley Scout Group came up with an uptrading idea in July where they started with one banana and managed to swap it for a plastic dog house, a baby push toy and three children's bikes.

One of the bikes was then exchanged for an adult's bike.

Cub scout leader David Simpson said: "We are delighted to get our new trailer and cannot wait to take it over to Ireland with us in April.

"When John came up with the idea, everyone- including me- thought he was crazy and would struggle to raise the £4,000 we needed.

"But against all the odds, we did it and the trailer will enable us to take all of our young people camping for years to come."

To speed up the progress of reaching their target, the group set up a Justgiving fundraising page which generated more than £2,100.

A Wigan Council Brighter Borough funding grant of £1,500, a £275 cheque from Tyldesley with Atherton Rotary Club and £250 donations from councillors in their area also helped the scouts to achieve their goal.

Family and friends of the group also called in to businesses in Tyldesley and Atherton asking if they would be able to donate money or provide an item for them to auction online.

They received help from 26 companies and Rev Julian Hartley from St John's Church, Mosley Common, including a donation of £500 from Lakeland Laboratories, a boiler from Eco Boilers and a signed Leigh Centurions shirt from Astley Glass.

After receiving the money they needed, the scouts group purchased the trailer at Indespension in Bolton.

MP for Leigh Jo Platt joined them on Friday to cut the ribbon for the trailer and mark the end of their successful five-month challenge.

David added: "We would like to personally thank 5th Tyldesley Scout Group members' parents, the general public and all of the local businesses for helping us to reach our target."

All remaining funds after the purchase of the trailer will be spent on future activities of the scout group and any additional equipment they may need.