A STEEP decline in members has forced the Scouts to rethink its strategy.

The organisation, founded in 1897 by Lord Baden Powell, hopes to ditch its old-fashioned image.

Nationally, membership has fallen from 190,101 in 1998 to 171,205 last year.

In Darlington, the number of young people in the organisation's four sections has dropped from 644 in 1999 to 597 last year.

The same pattern can be seen in Bishop Auckland, Chester-le-Street and Durham.

The Scout Association's image overhaul is designed to deal with the two major factors in the decline.

There is a perception amongst youngsters that Scouting is not very "cool". Also, fewer adults are volunteering as Scout leaders.

The age-old problem of unfashionable uniforms is being redressed with a new design for Scouters.

The association is also creating a new band, for 14-to-18 year olds, and extending the upper age limit to 25.

A complete new Scouting programme will also be introduced next year.

Although in Darlington the past few years has seen falling membership numbers, certain parts of the town are experiencing something of a renaissance, with an unusual rise in the number of young people wanting to join.

The 26th Darlington All Saints Scout Group, based at All Saints Church, in Ravensdale Road, has four section groups, each of which are full to capacity, with 50 children on the waiting list to join the groups.

Group Scout leader Felicity Hackett said: "Adding the 14-to- 18 age range is a really good way to combat the fact that we are losing the older Scouts at the moment".

The Darlington District banner is to start an advertising and information campaign this summer to find new recruits.

Darlington district commissioner Tony Gent said: "Only by being out and about and getting more people involved in our own groups will we start to see results."