13-YEAR-old Scouts have picked up the top prize at the annual Cheshire Hike.

Jessica Pickstock from Runcorn and her friend Jemima Worral from Frodsham were the overall winners at the vent which saw 500 young people trek across the countryside in two days.

The girls were the overall county winners in the intermediate age category, and also claimed the Mersey Weaver District trophy for hiking 46km while carnying tents and cooking equipment.

They were assessed on their compass, map reading and camp skills, as well as facing a variety of challenges at checkpoints along the way.

Oliver Chambers, Mersey Weaver Scouts District Commissioner, commented: "I am extremely proud of the young people from Mersey Weaver who took part in this difficult two-day challenge which required determination, resilience and most of all teamwork.

"We had some outstanding results in the district including Jess and Jemima from 4th Frodsham who brought home the Intermediate trophy - such an incredible achievement.

"Well done to all the young people who trained hard for the event and thanks to both the leaders and our Hillwalking and Trekking ASU for giving up their time preparing the young people for the event."