A STOCKPORT cub scout was not prepared for what he saw when he opened the paper on Boxing Day.

Hardworking Leon Johnson, of Charles Street, Higher Hillgate, gained all 33 of his cub scout badges in August last year.

But on December 26, national newspapers reported that another boy from Norfolk had been the first in the country to gain the record number of badges.

"We were shocked when we opened the paper and saw that somebody else had the record for all 33 badges when Leon had completed them all months ago," said mum, Tracey Johnson.

A quick phone call to The Scout Association revealed that both boys had achieved the badges at around the same time but, due to a mix-up, Stockport’s finest cub had been lost in the system.

But the mistake was rectified and Leon, who loves fishing and football, has gained Grade 1 in the clarinet and plays Octopush - a form of underwater hockey - is over the moon to have been formally recognised for his incredible achievement.

"I’m really proud that I managed to gain all my badges," said the 10-year-old, who attends 1st Hazel Grove Mao Pack.

"It was hard work but really fun at the same time.  The Global Conservation was probably my hardest badge, but it was really worthwhile learning all about the environment and how to recycle properly. I’ve now joined the scouts, but I think it might be a bit difficult to get all the scout badges - there are so many of them. I support Stockport County and it’s my dream to be a mascot at a County match and I would also like to do the Duke of Edinburgh badges in the future."

Tracey, 35, added: "It’s so encouraging when children can still be enthusiastic about traditional hobbies, I’m so proud of him."

Spokesperson for The Scout Association, Andrew Thorp said: "Both young people finished their badges in August, but we were not informed by the group in Norfolk until just before Christmas. We hadn’t heard anything from Leon’s group either so we thought the other boy had been the first. As it turned out, both boys had managed this fantastic achievement at the same time. This was the first time all 33 badges had been gained because we had added five more cubs badges in January 2007."