RAINBOWS, Brownies and Guides from Batley donned hard hats for a trip underground.

The girls, aged between five and 14, had a brilliant visit to the National Coal Mining Museum near Grange Moor.

The adventurous ones descended 140 metres below the surface for a magical underground journey which ended with a visit to Santa’s grotto. The girls also went around the museum on a Santa treasure hunt and met some of the Victorian interpreters who talked about the mine in the Victorian days.

The group’s leader Lynda Stone said: “It really brought to life what it was like to be brought up in a mining family and to work in the mine during the Victorian era. It was a fantastic day out. Adventures like this are just part of the range of activities open to girls and young women through guiding.”

For further information contact Girlguiding UK on 0800 1 69 59 01 or visit www.girlguiding.org.uk