FINE weather over the weekend encouraged about 200 people to take part in a gruelling 26-mile trek to raise cash for local lifesavers.

This year's Cleveland Survival centred on the village of Moorsholm, near Loftus, and took place on Saturday. Competitors navigated their way round a course, which covered some of the toughest terrain on the North York Moors. It involved tracks along cliffs, as well as across open moorland.

"Most people don't approach it in the same way as the London Marathon because the terrain is so different - they tend to walk around the course," said Pete Mounsey, spokesman for Cleveland Search and Rescue Team, who organised the event. "It was a very successful event and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. The fact that the weather was so good made it all the better."

The first male runner to complete the route was Duncan Woods, of Sedgefield, County Durham, in a time of four hours and 16 minutes, closely followed eight minutes later by Ian Elmore, of Scarborough. The first woman was Helen Diamanties, of Harrogate, who took four hours and 36 minutes.

Terry Brompton of Stockton and Andy Mohun-Smith from York, were the first walkers home, taking seven hours and 20 minutes.

The next fundraising walk on behalf of the rescuers is organised by the Frigate pub, in Marske, from Whitby to Marske, on May 4.