Hundreds of teenagers from throughout the region took part in a gruelling Army cadet competition - and faced up to a surprise challenge.

Thirty-six teams completed a cross-country timed march for more than five miles ending with a steep hill - and then had to cope with a 30ft climbing wall.

And despite the effort it caused they later gave the whole event, held at Catterick Garrison, the thumbs-up.

"The competition has been a lot better than last year and we have really enjoyed it," enthused Cadet Flight Sergeant Sam Grant Richard Young,17, from Whitburn, the captain of the Durham and Northumbria Air Training Corps team.

The tasks in the contest were designed to promote leadership and teamwork and were tested with problem solving command tasks.

As well as the march and climbing wall the cadets had to demonstrate their skills in map reading, first aid and marksmanship.

"Exercise Colts Canter has run for many years and we felt that the cadets needed to face fresh challenges," said Lieutenant Colonel Chris Jarvis who is responsible for the region's 7,350 cadets.

Over 400 of them, all aged between 13 and 18 and from detachments throughout the area, took part in the competition which was held at New England Farm and Wathgill Camp.