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What would Baden-Powell think about scouts' cheeky link?

The website's link as it appeared at 1pm on Tuesday
The website's link as it appeared at 1pm on Tuesday

With the invitation 'Sexy Sue’s Surprise’ you could be forgiven for thinking you had inadvertently clicked on an adult website - but this was the link offered to visitors to a Kent scout group’s homepage.

'Sexy Sue’s Suprise...’ (sic) is actually an attention grabber, which leads visitors to an online appeal trying to gather volunteers for work on the 1st Kingsdown Scout Group’s hut and grounds.

A spokesman from the scout group in West Kingsdown has so far been unavailable for comment but the unusual choice of line has attracted some criticism.

County councillor for Sevenoaks David Brazier said the line on the website wasn’t "tasteful" but added that magazine adverts often used such tactics.

He said: "It seems to be in rather poor taste."


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Concern over the use of the word 'sexy’ on a website used by both adults and children, has also raised been raised by the Children’s Safety Education Foundation.

Chief executive John McNamee said: "The internet poses a very real danger to young people today. We all have a role to play to ensure we educate young, impressionable people, not only of the dangers online, but also in teaching them how to use the internet responsibly.

"I am sure that the 1st Kingsdown Scout Group meant no harm with this link, and it certainly does catch the eye, however I can also see why some members of the community have raised their concerns."

Following inquiries to the group and Scout Association on Tuesday the link was replaced. By 1.30pm it instead read 'Sue’s Surprise.’

In a statement, Simon Carter, assistant director of marketing and communications for The Scout Association, said: "At some point in the past, the text of the website was different from what it is now.

"Having rechecked at 4.24pm on the July 29, 2008, I find nothing of concern on the site."

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