A young disabled woman has said her disabilities have never been a barrier to her involvement in Girlguiding.

Alice Smith from St Albans said the organisation has always empowered her to know that "all girls can do anything".

The 19-year-old has been a co-leader at 16th St Albans (St Julians) Rainbows for more than a year, and has been helping out at the unit since she was 11.

Alice has been using a wheelchair for four years.

She said: "Being involved with Girlguiding is so rewarding.

"As a Rainbows leader, I see four and five-year-olds join us and experience so many new things and then when they are seven and they leave us, they have gained a whole new set of skills and so much more confidence.

"They are just a fantastic group of human beings who are going to take on the world one day.

"Being just a part of that story is brilliant."

Alice was a Rainbow herself from the age of five, before going on to join Brownies, Guides and Rangers.

She said: "Girlguiding has always empowered me 100 per cent to know that I should aim high.

"It’s really helped me with my confidence and skills, and I’ve had some incredible experiences and opportunities thanks to Girlguiding.

"My disabilities have never held me back."