North Pole explorer Dwayne Fields becomes UK's new Chief Scout

The first black Briton to reach the North Pole, adventurer Dwayne Fields, has been named as the UK's new Chief Scout.

Dwayne replaces fellow explorer Bear Grylls who announced that he would be stepping down from the role after 15 years back in June.

Dwayne has been a Scout Ambassador since 2017 and has presented shows on Channel 5 and BBC1.

He will be formally appointed as Chief Scout at Scout Park in North East London where he spent time in Cub Scouts as a child.

Dwayne Fields was the first black Briton to reach North Pole

Who is Dwayne Fields?

Dwayne was born in Jamaica and came to the UK at the age of 6.

Growing up in inner city London, without access to nature, he says the Scouts gave him new horizons.

"Scouts helped shaped who I am today and I hope my story will encourage others to join and achieve their dreams.

"My volunteer leaders believed in me as a young person and taught me to believe in myself.

"Now I want a new generation to learn the skills for life, friendship and belonging I felt when I needed them most. I want to show that the outdoors is a place for all us to be at our best and truly open to all."

Scouts, the world's largest youth movement, was formed in 1907.

There are 7,000 Scout Groups across the UK with 444,000 young people aged 4-25.

The Scouts say a key part of Dwayne's role will be to attract new volunteers, especially in communities new to Scouts.