MORE than six months of training has paid off as two teams of air cadets from Amesbury completed the Ten Tors Challenge in Dartmoor at the weekend.

The event, which is now in its 50th year, is a test of endurance, navigation and survival skills and about 400 teams, each with six young people in them, took part this year.

The teams from 1011 (Amesbury) Squadron have been training since they applied in October. One team took on the 35-mile route and another the 45-mile route.

Team manager Owen Taylor said: “The training from December to the event has been very involved, as the consequence of poor training could be life-threatening. The cadets, with the support of their parents, have shown dedication to the training and have pushed themselves to the levels required.”

In the 45-mile team were Peter Chapman, Ben Taylor, Francis Tucker and Ryan Didcock. Cpl Mathew Ebejer and Chris Spalding were unable to complete the challenge due to personal injury. The 35-mile team was Daniel Emms, Katherine Shaw, Chris Blakeborough and Keith Batchiller. Anna McKracken was unable to finish due to personal injury and the team borrowed a member of Shaftesbury Squadron, Andy Derbridge.

Mr Taylor wants to thank Pilot Officer Annabel Poppe (VRT), Sgt James Barber (ATC), Alison Cosens and Stuart Evison, who were the support staff and trainers, and the headteachers of Stonehenge School and Avon Valley College, who were supportive in allowing the cadets time off school.