CHILDREN as young as seven have been scaling Mount Everest - all 8,850 metres of it - from the safety of their school playground.

The youngsters, plus parents and friends of Ravensworth Junior School, Normanby, joined forces to tackle the 24-hour challenge.

Using an eight metre high mobile climbing tower provided by Redcar and Cleveland Council's East Cleveland Adventure Partnership, the climbers, aged from seven to 57 averaged 370 metres an hour.

Headteacher Kevin Skelton said: "It is an immensely difficult task, but not impossible - just like climbing the real thing.

"All of our children have already had some climbing experience so they know what they are letting themselves in for.

"Every school should have its magical moments that children can look back on with fondness and pride.

"I hope our wonderful children will never forget the time they stayed at school and climbed through the night under floodlights to conquer Mount Everest."

The event, sponsored by the newly-opened Go Outdoors store at Portrack, Stockton, will raise money to buy a new low ropes activity course and to support the vital work of the Cleveland Search and Rescue Team.

The Search and Rescue Team, which includes headteacher Carl Faulkner from nearby Normanby Primary School, will be supporting the Ravensworth effort.