The Scouts have come up with an alternative to the 106-year-old religious promise that removes all references to God, in order to make atheist members feel more welcome.

However, the traditional pledge will remain the “core pledge”, to the relief of religious leaders who were dismayed when the Guides abandoned all references to God in a new pledge in which girls promise to be true to themselves and their community instead.

It means that the Scouts now have four alternative pledges on top of the original one — for Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and now atheists.

The atheist version will be available from January 1. Wayne Bulpitt, the UK Chief Commissioner for the Scout Association, said he looked forward to welcoming even more young people to