MORE than £50,000 is to be invested in a popular scout camp to transform it into an outdoor centre for use by children across the county.

Bowley Scout Camp and Activity Centre, Great Harwood, is to be operated through the week by Preston-based Hill Climb Activities.

And bosses hope to attract youngsters from schools in Lancashire to take part in residential trips at Bowley in a bid to rejuvenate the site.

There will also be the opportunity for companies to hire the site for team-building exercises.

The 46-acre site, established in 1968, has been managed by the Scout Association since its inception. But a lack of investment meant that external funding was needed to rejuvenate it.

Andy Hill, the boss of Hill Climb Activities, said new developments at the site will make it more popular than ever.

New adventure equipment, including rope slides and play areas, has been put in place.

Renovation has also been completed at residential buildings at the site.

Scout county commissioner Glen Fendall said the input from Hill Climb Activities will help to keep the site viable financially for scouts in the future.

He said: “The partnership will breathe new life into Bowley as it takes on the new identity that will allow us to continue to provide the everyday adventures that so many young people enjoy within the scouts.”

Mr Hill said: “In recent times it has been tough for the scouts to run the site.

"It is a fantastic facility, which we will run during the week and which the scouts will have at weekends, although scouts will still have some access at all times.

“There is lots of land and lots of wonderful buildings that cannot be allowed to go to waste.”

The company has secured a five-year lease on the site and expects to invest £50,000 over that time.

The site provides both camping sites and indoor accommodation. Activities include climbing walls, archery, rifle shooting, and grass sledging.