HUNDREDS of balloons will take to the skies across West Yorkshire on Saturday as the Scouting movement marks its centenary.

Launches will be made at noon from Castle Hill, Holme Moss, Royds Hall High School in Paddock, Emley Moor mast and Huddersfield and Dewsbury town centres to celebrate the special year.

The mayor of Kirklees, Clr Donald Firth, will be attending the balloon launch at Castle Hill.

At Holme Moss car park, members of the Holme Valley District Scouts will be launching the helium-filled balloons as part of a series of activities planned for the anniversary.

They are inviting members of the public to come along and join the launch and buy a balloon for £1.

Andrew Armitage, Explorer Scout Commissioner for the Holme Valley, said: "This is the first in a series of events which the Scouting groups in the Holme Valley have planned to mark the centenary.

"We are also attending a centenary camp at Spring Bank, the World Jamboree site in Essex in August and planning a carol concert in December to end the year."

Anyone interested in learning more about Scouting or the balloon launch can contact Andrew on 01484 681181.