PATHFINDER students from Duchy College Stoke Climsland returned triumphant after successfully completing the Ten Tors Jubilee Challenge on Dartmoor last weekend, despite variable weather conditions.

Donning their hiking boots and waterproofs just after 7.30am on the Saturday, the challenge began as the students took on the moor and its testing conditions to receive either their bronze, silver or gold awards.

The Jubilee Challenge, a shorter version of the Ten Tors, is a trekking expedition on northern Dartmoor designed specifically for young people with special needs, both physical and educational.

There are four different routes ranging from seven to 15 miles for entrants to trek and navigate across the moor to specified checkpoints and share the same pressures, achievements and weather as those competing in the Ten Tors Challenge.

Pathfinder student Josh Pottle, aged 17, did the JC2 route which was nine miles. He said: 'I was a bit nervous before the start of the challenge but I thought I could do it. I had practised a lot and did quite a bit of walking beforehand so didn't find it too hard. After I completed it, I felt I had done a good thing and met a challenge head on.'

The students had been in training for five months leading up to the event and a suitable route was chosen for their abilities and fitness level. All camped overnight on the Friday at the base camp and were up bright and early, eager to complete the challenge.