FIVE wounded ex-servicemen from the region have been selected to be part of a gruelling triathlon billed as the hardest in the world.

The group, who use Phoenix House recovery centre in Catterick Garrison as part of their recovery, are part of a Help for Heroes group that will take on the Enduroman Arch to Arc challenge.

Lee Hurst, David Evans and Glenn Prosho, all from Darlington, along with Dean Middleton, from Seaham Harbour and Anna Pollock, from Catterick, are all part of the team, which includes 24 wounded, injured and sick veterans and serving personnel.

Arch to Arc ultra-distance triathlon requires relay teams to run 87 miles from Marble Arch, London, to the Dover coast, swim across the English Channel, and then finish with a 181 mile bike from Calais to the Arc de Triomphe, Paris .

It has never been attempted by a disabled team before - so they will be making their own bit of history when the event gets underway on September 25.

The team have been training for nine months, having taken on various events and challenges to prepare them for what lies ahead.

One member, Lee Hurst, 35, is a former corporal who served for 16 years. He suffers from Crohn’s disease and is taking on the challenge to raise funds for Help for Heroes.

He was medically discharged in July 2013 after serving all over the world, including operational tours in Bosnia, Northern Ireland, Kosovo and Afghanistan. “I couldn’t deploy because of the medication I was on so I couldn’t carry out my role,” he said.

He added: “I used to be quite active and now training for Arch to Arc has given me something to focus on and some drive.

“It was about coming back in with ex-military people and, on a personal note, I did not know if anybody else has done this challenge with Crohn’s Disease so I thought I could inspire others too.”

Mark Airey, strength and conditioning co-ordinator at Phoenix House, said: “It’s fantastic that the group have come so far to this point, and that we’re able to share the team and encourage the public to support them ahead of next month and the start of this epic challenge.

“Sport provides optimism, self-belief and confidence in what can be achieved, and this is proven to be of particular importance to this group.

“All of these benefits can be translated outside of sport and into day to day life, sport helps with coping strategies and resilience – which is so important on an individual’s recovery journey.”

To support the team visit helpforheroes.org.uk/ArchtoArc