STUDENTS are scaling up their training for a gruelling 24 hour challenge that could be rewarded with a national record.

The teenagers from Lavington School, near Devizes, will be joined by staff and parents as they attempt to complete the Three Peaks challenge in just one day.

Assistant headteacher Lisa Adams has organised the trek that will see them taken on Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon in a bid to become the youngest team to complete the endeavour.

Mrs Adams said: "It will be a gruelling challenge but if we succeed it will set a new national record for the youngest group of students completing the challenge in the twenty hour period. Once we have returned to the bottom of Snowdon the clock will stop and hopefully the celebrations will begin."

The challenge on May 26 will be undertaken by a Lavington team of 40. They will start at the foot of Ben Nevis the tallest mountain in Scotland, the clock will start and the challenge begins with a 4409 feet climb, then we move onto Scafell Pike the highest mountain in England 3209 feet and finally onto Snowdon the highest mountain in Wales at 3560 feet.

The school has been backed by Devizes Area Board which was approached to help provide funding for the endeavour.

Mrs Adams said: "The students have been trying hard getting themselves physically prepared as well as organizing fund raising events and applying for a grant with the Local Youth Network. The students were overwhelmed to hear the area board were in full support of their challenge and approved a bid for over £6000."

The funding will go towards equipment and training. Other community groups will also be able to borrow the equipment. Mrs Adams said: "It will allow more young people to access exciting challenges in the future."

Last week the students were joined by area board chairman Simon Jacobs and Wiltshire councillor Richard Gamble when the team gathered to say thank you for the financial support given.

The Three Peaks challenge is the latest of a number of sporty events undertaken by pupils under the leadership of Mrs Adams. Three years ago a team took part in a Lavington to Parish cycle ride to raise money for Bag4Sport Foundation and last year they cycled through the south of England.