Five teenagers have completed a gruelling trek to the Base Camp of Mount Everest and raised money for Help for Heroes.

The final amount has not yet been added up but is thought to be at least £8,000.

The 16 and 17-year-old Wiltshire Army Cadets, accompanied by five adult instructors, spent a tiring nine days hiking before reaching the base camp of Everest, which stands at 5,500 metres above sea level.

The teenagers had spent two years planning the trip and raising the £1,500 it cost them each. Fundraising included bag packing in supermarkets, gigs, discos, quizzes, auctions and baking cakes.

Instructor Amanda Rowley, of Devizes, said: “This was an enormous challenge for us all and we’re absolutely thrilled to have completed the trek. The cadets kept us all going with their enthusiasm and determination and reaching the base camp was an incredible achievement for us all.

“The amount raised for Help for Heroes is fantastic. I’m not sure it’s sunk in yet. All the kids are in awe of the trip itself.”

The team slept in tea houses, equivalent to wooden sheds, and in one of the villages they visited they joined in dancing with locals as they celebrated a festival.

Cadet Jake Langton, 16, of Market Lavington, said: “It was fantastic to be given the opportunity of such an amazing adventure. It was incredibly hard work but we had all undertaken a lot of training in the run up to the trip.

“We would like to thank everyone who supported us with sponsorship and we are delighted to have been able to raise so much.”

The other cadets were Dan Hannan of Swindon, Chris Beckett of Chippenham, Ellis Capon of Market Lavington and Heather Brickell of Trowbridge.