YOUNG Brownies and Guides from Sedgemoor had a brush with royalty when they met Sophie, Countess of Wessex.

The Countess landed by helicopter near Wedmore to officially open Girlguiding Somerset's £400,000 residential lodge at Somermead last Wednesday.

The lodge provides residential stays for up to 24 young people and their leaders at any one time, and members of six Somerset groups, including Puriton Brownies and Wedmore Guides, were there when the Countess, who is the President of Girlguiding, arrived.

During her visit, the Countess helped the girls make dream catchers, played giant Jenga, toasted marshmallows and cut a celebration cake.

Barbara Dale, chair of the Somermead committee, said: “It has been wonderful to have the Countess visit and take so much interest in what the girls are doing.

“We are now able to fulfil one of Guiding’s aims – to offer all its members the opportunity of a residential event, close to home but with the advantage of everything the surrounding area has to offer.”