A TOP scout from Oxford has been roughing it with TV survival expert Bear Grylls.

As a Queen’s Scout, George Brookes – who lives in Water Eaton – is one of an elite band of 200 who have reached the highest level of achievement in youth scouting.

He was chosen from their ranks as one of eight to join Chief Scout Grylls on his private island off North Wales.

George, 19, a former Gosford Hill School pupil, said: “It was so cool talking to him about his experiences of Mount Everest.

“It has always been one of my dreams to get to the summit of Everest.

“One of the best bits of the weekend was abseiling down a cliff on Bear’s island. Bear Grylls is an amazing chief scout. He is a really influential person.

“He does the job very well.”