Local Hero nominees: Valerie and Jack Baron

Jack and Valerie Baron Credit: ITV

Valerie and Jack Baron have been scout leaders for almost 40 years. They run the Highfield Scout Group at Highfield Church in Darwen, Lancashire. With currently 60 cubs, scouts and beavers to look after, it's estimated the couple have mentored around two and a half thousand scouts since 1974. It's thought they are one of the longest serving husband and wife teams in the scouting movement in Britain.

The couple have been married for 44 years - for 39 of those, they have been scout leaders. Valerie, 68, has been Akela, cub scout leader, district cub leader, assistant district commissioner cub scouts, and is currently the group scout leader. Jack, 79, is group chairman. He has just had a pacemaker fitted, and has been told to take things easy but that's not holding him back and the couple plan to continue their work in the scouts for many years to come.

Jack Baron Credit: ITV

The pair have been nominated by their long time friend and fellow scout leader, Susan Rogers who said:

''They're always here for anybody - it doesn't matter who they are or what their problem is - they're always there.''