THREE teenagers have returned from a trek that took them from Munich to Milan.

The trio, with the 2nd Chester-le-Street Scout Association, had to make a 200km journey through Europe largely on foot, via a route they had devised themselves, to earn their Explorer Belts.

Stephen Welsh, 16 and Mark Atkinson, 18, of Chester-le-Street, and Duncan Yates, 18, of Sunderland, were dropped off in Munich, Germany, and had to make their way though Austria, Liechtenstein and Switzerland to Milan, Italy. On the way the three Explorer Scouts had to accomplish 15 small projects and one major task, which involved visiting local farmers and finding out how their farming techniques have changed.

Mark said: "It was a difficult challenge, but we were prepared, due to the intense training beforehand and the equipment we could buy due to the kind sponsorship of Mercantile Building Society."

The building society presented the scouts with £900, so they could buy vital equipment such as light-weight tents, clothes, boots and a multi-fuel burner. On average the scouts walked 20km a day across the Alps and completed their task earlier this month.

The last time the Explorer Belt was achieved at Chester-le-Street Scout Association, was 30 years ago by Mark's father.

Mark said: "The fact that my dad managed this feat 30 years ago was a great inspiration throughout the journey.

"I am delighted to have achieved this, it was difficult enough with the equipment we had, I dread to think what is was like 30 years ago.