A GROUP of Girl Guides came face to face with a Pop Idol after winning a top ranking award.

The seven girls were given the highest Girl Guide honour of them all — the Baden-Powell Challenge Award — for staying true to their promise to serve their community and help other people.

Their kindness and hard work also impressed former Pop Idol winner Michelle McManus, and she invited them along to meet her during her one woman show at the Beacon.

On the night the members of the 27th Greenock Girl Guides were presented with their award from the performer.

Girl Guide Chloe McGill, 17, of Canmore Crescent, said: “Michelle was really lovely and so down to earth. She was laughing and joking with us. It was lovely to get the award from her. She was not in the Girl Guides but she said she wished she had been after meeting us.” Chloe and her friends took part in a number of activities to achieve the award.

She said: “It was brilliant taking part in Baden-Powell challenge and we were very pleased to get the award.” It was also a cause of real celebration for all the long serving members of the 27th Greenock Guides.

Chloe said: “We are all really good friends and the leaders are just brilliant.” Guide Leader Sandra McColl, who has been with the group for 40 yers, said this is one of her proudest moments.

She added: “I love all our Girl Guides.

“It is very important that we give every girl the opportunity to take part in the guides — it is a great place for them.” The Baden-Powell Challenge award winners in full were: Emma Johnson, Seonaid Mclaughlin, Kayren Webster, Chloe McGill, Laura Hamill and Coleen Lever.