Teenagers braved sub-zero temperatures and banished off hunger by skinning a rabbit at the annual Brass Monkey Challenge.

Scouts and Explorers took part in the 24 hour survival competition on February 2, with attendees coming from all over the Royal Forest Scout District stretching from Buckhurst Hill to Moreton & Fyfield.

More than 150 young people attended Thriftwood Scout Camp Site in Brentwood where they built their own shelters, cooked meals over an open fire and crafted tools from natural materials.

They were also set tasks such as First Aid scenarios, problem solving and a Scout Knowledge check.

For their dinner they skinned and prepared a rabbit before making it into sausages which they cooked over a self-built fire pit.

Jacqui Mortimer, who led third placed 1st Theydon Garnon Scout Team made up of Mia Roberts, Gavriel Sher and Aaron Connolly, said: “The scouts all love this event, even though the night time temperatures often plunge to below zero.

"Every year they put their all into the weeks of training prior to this event with the older scouts helping to train the younger ones and it really pays off.

"I’m very proud of all our scouts who took part and, as always, they were a joy to be with.

"Thanks also to Beaver leader Luke Worrall, Scout assistant leader Jay Vyas and Group Scout Leader Richard Mortimer for the time and effort they put into helping to train the scouts.”