GIRL Guides from Worcester were among teams who conquered Europe to take the top spots in a regional competition.

The British Bees, who took the silver medal, and the Prison Pears, who took gold, triumphed in the Girlguiding Midlands Jailbreak Challenge 2013, which tasked teams of Girl Guides to ‘break out’ of jail and travel to as many European countries as possible in eight days. They returned to the UK on Saturday, August 3, and received their ‘parole’ and medals following their escape from Droitwich with the help of mayor Tom Noyes.

The teams, made up of 15 guides chosen from groups in Worcester, Malvern, Stourport and Droitwich, competed against 100 other guides and 12 other teams from across the Midlands to claim the two top spots at an award ceremony in Birmingham.

Prison Pears team member, 16-year-old Lucy Fellows, said: “The standard was so high we were so proud when we won and were presented with our first place gold medals at the awards ceremony in front of the other teams and our parents.

“We were all so shocked and honoured to have won after all the hard work we had put into the planning of the trip and overwhelmed at how amazing the trip was.

“We have definitely made new friends and memories that we will keep for life.”

The competition saw teams gain points for visiting countries and taking part in various challenges.

The Prison Pears started in Switzerland and made their way through Slovenia, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Belgium and Germany, clocking up a total of 3,000 miles and 46 hours on trains, while undertaking other bonus activities, including visiting the famous Bear Pit in Berne, Lake Bled, baths in Budapest and the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.

The British Bees took a different route and visited Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands on their trip.

Sophie Turbett, 15, from the Prison Pears, said: “Our aim was always simply to have fun – and we certainly achieved that. We hope that we have made Worcestershire proud.”

For details on how to join Girlguiding, the UK’s leading charity for girls and young women, visit girlguiding.org.uk.