TWENTY four West Devon women made their way to Bicton last Sunday to take part in the 21st Royal Marine Commando Challenge. 

The team, Dotty's Birds, made up of Bere Alston Trekkers, Tavistock Athletics, West Devon Borough Council and other friends was led by team captain Dotty Allan along the 3km run route and then onto the Royal Marine assault course which included crawling on hands and knees through a number of small, dark tunnels, crawling along on bellies through thick mud, tackling the 'sheep-dip', wading chest deep through a lake, rolling into streams, scrambling under scramble nets, before running the 3km back to the finish.

Dotty's Birds were the biggest team of this year's event and raised £1,400 for charity.

­ n The 'muddy' team are pictured at the finish: Dotty Allan, Fiona Arundel, Clare Woods, Vicki Lloyd, Hannah Colston, Lisa Mabey, Rachel Wood, Emma Dobson, Angela Gibbs, Erin Davies, Bridget Macdonald, Ali Lewis, Rebecca Sargent, Laura Payne, Katy Phillips, Terri Easton, Anne-Marie Letheridge, Sue Catto, Marion Playle, Katherine Law, Laura Handel, Jo Bourton, Julie Bending and Lydia Fletcher.