PEACE campaigners slammed a partnership between Girlguiding and the British army today.

The Peace Pledge Union (PPU) said it had already heard from several current and former guides and guide leaders who want to ditch the partnership.

Some have said they will end their association with Girlguiding if it continues.

Despite claims that the partnership is not about recruitment, PPU says the army deployed recruitment stands to at least one Girlguiding event over the August bank holiday weekend.

Girlguiding is “now in a bizarre position,” said PPU, as they will not allow guides to play games like laser tag, which involve shooting fake weapons at human targets, but they can be encouraged to join the army.

Former guide leader Hilary Cornish said: “Guides for me was about building international friendships and a real commitment to peace. I used to love discussing with the girls why, as an organisation, we don’t shoot at human targets.

“Working with the armed forces doesn’t reflect the guiding I love.”