A County Durham Scout Association committee that excluded a group of young Scouts from their purpose-built building this summer was voted out in a special general meeting earlier this week.

Members of the Newton Aycliffe Scout Supporters Association (NASSA) gathered at the Scout Hut on Bluebell Way on October 10 for the meeting - called by over 20 members.

The 1st Newton Aycliffe Scouts were given 28 days' notice to leave the premises on August 1, for which they claimed they were given "no reason" as to why.

Read more: Newton Aycliffe Scouts: Group permitted back in to building

The Northern Echo: The Newton Aycliffe Scout Supporters Association Hut.The Newton Aycliffe Scout Supporters Association Hut. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

But, after a campaign involving several councillors backed by Sedgefield MP Paul Howell, the Scouts were able to re-enter the building.

A new committee led by elected chairman Jimmy Kennedy with treasurer Sharon Hutchinson has now been chosen after former committee members stood down at the Tuesday meeting.

For Durham County Councillor Neville Jones, who ran the 'SOS - Save Our Scouts' campaign, this feels like a "victory" for the Scouts.

He added: "It definitely is a victory for the Scouts. There will never be any Scouts kicked out there again.

"It's back in proper ownership for the Scouts and now we can move forward properly."

The issue is also particularly personal for Cllr Jones after his father, John Jones, helped fundraise to build the hut to become the Scouts forever home in Newton Aycliffe.

He added: "We built it, it was my dad who put it together. It was built for Scouts, and it has to be for Scouts and that is the bottom line.

"Now it looks like we have put in place a sensible committee with Scout-oriented people and things may be written into the constitution to make sure nothing like this can happen again."

Cllr Arun Chandran chairman of policy and resources committee said: "I am absolutely delighted that the Scouts have won through and are now back in control of their Scout home."

The Mayor of Great Aycliffe, Cllr Carl Robinson has also thanked all who have been involved.

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He said: "As Mayor, I would like to record our thanks, in particular to Cllr Arun Chandran chairman of policy and resources and our Town Clerk Dan Austin for the hard work they did behind the scenes and publicly, as well as all councillors for their total unity and support.

"Thanks also to the members of the Newton Aycliffe Scout Supporters Association, in particular, Sharon Hutchinson, Sue Beadle and Jim Kennedy, as well as many others - the Newton News, our MP and the residents of our community. We wish the Scout Hall and NASSA all the best."

The Scout Hut will now be closed for a short period of time to conduct cleaning and minor renovations and will soon re-open.