POLICE officers who tackled some of Britain's toughest terrain have raised hundreds of pounds for charity.

Two groups from Durham Constabulary picked the country's most challenging hikes to raise money for the Special Care Baby Unit and the Accident and Emergency department at the University Hospital of North Durham, in Durham.

Last year, PC Anne French, Inspector Martin Peace and PC Neil Johnson completed the Three Peaks Walk, which involved climbing Britain's highest peaks, Snowdonia, in North Wales, Scafell Pike, in Cumbria, and Ben Nevis, in Scotland. The walk was done within 24 hours, on October 15 and 16.

PC Nigel Craig and PC Ian Cousins drove the support vehicle, which had been loaned to them by the Mercedes-Benz dealership, in Holland Park Drive, Newcastle.

They also joined a group of seven other police in taking part on the Lyke Wake Walk, a 42-mile walk across the North York Moors, from Osmotherley to Ravenscar. The trek had to be completed within 24 hours.

The team work at Peterlee Police Station, or as traffic officers for Durham Constabulary.

The Three Peaks Challenge raised £322 for the Special Care Baby Unit.

The Lyke Wake Walk raised £260 for the Accident and Emergency department at the University Hospital of North Durham.