Agricultural students valiantly attempted to plough on but were defeated by bad weather in a 24-hour fundraising challenge in aid of the Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

A group of 26 first year National Diploma farm mechanisation students from Wiltshire College Lackham began their 24-hour ploughing attempt at 8am on Wednesday but were forced to call it a day at 4am on Thursday because rain had made the going too difficult.

Agricultural engineering lecturer John Dixon said: “We seemed to go through every weather extreme that night and we had to stop at 4am because some fields were too muddy to plough.

“We plan to go back and finish off the work after the Easter holidays as it is contracted work to local farmers. We have about 70 to 80 acres left to do.”

He explained that the students had taken turns in shifts with two students in each of the four tractors they were using across a total of 200 acres of farmland around Sandy Lane.

There was also a back-up team repairing and maintaining the tractors.

Mr Dixon said: “This is a really good team building event where we have a barbecue and light a fire.

“It’s a really good opportunity to raise money for a charity of their choice and they chose the air ambulance because most of the students live in rural locations so the air ambulance is a lifeline for people like us. Without it our lives would be a little less safe.”

Anyone wishing to donate to the cause should call the college on (01249) 466800.