YOUNG farmers attempting to push a bath nearly 60 miles to raise funds for two charities said they felt strong after completing the first leg of the challenge.

The 12 members of Winksley-cum-Grantley Young Farmers Club set off with the specially-made aluminium bath from Ripon Market Place and passed through Thirsk, ahead of an overnight stop at Helmsley.

The team, who are aged 15 to 21, remain on schedule to finish the three-day marathon at the beach at Scarborough on Sunday (March 29).

They are hoping to raise £5,500 for Yorkshire Air Ambulance & Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research.

The club's leader, Ruth Terry said the team had split into three groups, taking mile-long legs, to conserve energy.

She said: "Everything has been going well, nobody's complaining yet and we have had quite a few donations.

"We have had quite a few people pulling strange faces as they see a bath being pushed along the route and car horns being tooted in support."

Brakes have been added to the bath as the route, across four districts of North Yorkshire, features numerous hills.

The young farmers omitted Sutton Bank, which has three 25 per cent gradient sections, due to safety concerns.

To donate, visit justgiving.com/teams/rach