YOUNG adventurers battled wet and windy weather to complete the Ten Tors challenge.

Teams of six from Dorset joined 2,400 others aged between 14 and 22 in the demanding two-day trek across Dartmoor's hilly terrain weighed down with survival gear, food and drink.

There were four routes to choose from and members of the 2182 Squadron (Dorchester) Air Training Cadets and the 1606 Squadron (Weymouth) yomped 35 miles after planning their own journey.

Civilian instructor Paul Weeks said he was proud of how much training the lads had put in for the expedition.

He added: "They all had a really good time and coped very well as a team despite easterly gales and plummeting temperatures."

Two teams from Budmouth Technology College also tackled the 35-mile route and the 45-mile route after training hard for six months.

Trainer and head of Year 11 Steve Hardy said: "They started at 7am on Saturday and finished at 5pm on the Sunday and had to do all the camping, cooking and navigating themselves.

"The weather was shocking, with very adverse conditions and a high percentage of people retiring."

The hikers who managed to complete the gruelling course were presented with bronze medals.