Ten Tors: Teenagers on Dartmoor complete challenge

Thousands of teenagers taking part in the annual two-day Ten Tors Challenge across Dartmoor in Devon have completed their trek.

The event involves young people aged between 14 and 19, in teams of six, trekking either 35, 45 or 55 miles (56, 72 or 88km).

They set off on Saturday morning and camped on the moor overnight.

The first teams were across the finish line just before 09:00 BST, organisers said.

'Whole team' event

More than 2,400 teenagers were taking part, trekking over what Ten Tors director Brigadier Piers Hankinson called the "forbidding Dartmoor terrain".

He added that it was very much a team event.

"The team work is really important, let alone the physical endurance and hardship," he said.

"There's no sat-nav out there. They're doing this by good old traditional compass.

"And it's a 'whole team' event. You have to complete this with a minimum of four in a team."

The majority of the teams who entered were from schools and youth groups from Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire.

Almost 300 youngsters with special physical or educational needs also took part in the Jubilee Challenge, completing routes of up to 15 miles (24km).

The first team to cross the line near Okehampton was from Torquay Boys' Grammar School just before 09:00 BST.

Although it is known to the participants as the Ten Tors, the Army-organised event is called Exercise Wyvern Tor by the military.

Troops involved include members of the Army, the Territorial Army and the Royal Navy.

Some of the personnel making sure the groups were safe will also be involved in security for the Olympic Games in London, officers said.