A teenage Guide will be going on the trip of a lifetime after beating dozens of other girls to travel to Japan.

Molly Beal, 14, from Epsom Gardens, Dereham, is the only Norfolk Girl Guide to be selected for the trip, organised by Girl Guiding UK.

The adventure will start on August 11 and finish on August 25 and costs �2,000.

Molly, a pupil at Neatherd High School, Dereham, will join eight other Girl Guides who were chosen out of 50 people during a selection weekend in London just before Christmas.

The teenager, who is a member of 3rd Dereham Guides, said she was shocked to be picked.

She added: 'I didn't think I'd get it. My friends are very impressed.'

During the trip Molly will stay with a family in Tokyo for three nights and spend time at the Sai No Kuni international Scout camp with Scouts and Guides from across the world.

Sue Armour, assistant guider for 3rd Dereham Guides, said: 'She (Molly) has a really unique opportunity to see what living in Japan is like for a girl of her age.

'We are absolutely thrilled and very pleased for her. It is so exciting. We are very proud of her.

'Molly was really quiet when she joined, it has been really nice to see her change over the years. She has become more confident.'

Molly's mother, Denise Beal, 47, a teacher at Norwich's City College, said: 'It is amazing (being selected) because she is very shy. The Guides has been her saving grace.'

So far the teenager has raised just over �500 by washing cars, packing bags at supermarkets and selling cakes.

If you would like to donate, contact Mrs Beal on 07786 862484 or email denisebeal@freeuk.com

To join the 3rd Dereham Guides or find out more about volunteering for the group, which meets every Wednesday, ring Mrs Armour on 01362 690846 or visit www.girlguiding/norfolk