THREE Dorchester-based mountain-boarders are planning to scale the heights in the cult sport's European Championships.

The trio of Nathan Jenkins, 19, from Dorchester, Dale Henson, 21, from Stratton and Andrew Wylie, 22, from Maiden Newton flew out from Gatwick to take on the best in Europe at a series of Alpine events in France and Italy over the next month.

"The UK contingent have high hopes of cleaning up in Europe," said Wylie, team manager for the trio who are riding as Team Kheo following their sponsorship by the French board manufacturers who are paying their airfares and camping expenses.

"Nathan and Dale are seventh and eighth in the UK Ratings and two weeks ago at a big event in Herefordshire with nearly 150 competitors they pushed the UK's number one Peter Tatham from Bristol all the way before finishing just behind him.

"He is expected to do very well in the Europeans so they have every chance of getting into the prize list," said

Wylie who is ranked in the low 20s.

The trio all turned to mountainboarding after previous experience of snowboarding and they practice at the Coastal Mountain-board Centre at Burton Bradstock where the first round of the UK Championships was held earlier in the summer.

"We're fortunate to be so close to the track at Burton Bradstock where we spend a lot of time," said Wylie.

* Mountain-boarding is the dry alternative to snow-boarding where competitors hurtle downhill on three feet long, flexible boards mounted on four small wheels.