FOUR girls have set off on a pony trek to mark the 65th anniversary of their school's Second World War evacuation.

In 1940, pupils from Fyling Hall School, near Whitby, were moved to Inglewood Bank, near Penrith, Cumbria, to escape German bombers.

While the children travelled by bus, the school's beloved ponies had to walk.

Yesterday, pupils Amanda Kenyon, Lorna Groundwater, Roxanne Couch, Ceri Burgess and their riding instructor Wendy Bulmer set off to retrace the 120-mile route to Cumbria.

Kate Fenton, school spokesperson, said the original journey was full of incidents.

"The route was unplanned, all signposts had been removed to confuse invaders and the riders found themselves suspected of being German spies or a travelling circus," she said.

"Still, the party at length hobbled up the drive at Inglewood to be cheered home like Derby winners by the waiting children."

The trek will raise money for a new school all-weather pitch. The schoolgirls will also make a contribution to the Royal British Legion.

The girls are expected to arrive on Sunday.