Sir David Attenborough may already have the honour of a knighthood from the Queen but now he has been awarded a special scouts badge too.

The wildlife fanatic was named on this year's Scouts' Birthday Honours List - along with Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond and comedian Eddie Izzard - as the association marks 103 years of guiding youngsters to personal development through its motto "learning by doing".

Sir David, of Richmond, picked up the naturalist scout badge yesterday after having been voted for by members who thought he had been an inspiration to them and fellow adventurers through his lifelong work involving the natural world.

Chief Scout Bear Grylls said: "Scouting is proud to recognise those who have inspired young people during the past year.

"Inspiring young people is vitally important and Sir David joins the thousands of ordinary adults across the UK who inspire young people week in week out in their normal leadership roles."