A team of brave soldiers returned from the gruelling endurance test known as the Royal Wootton Bassett Challenge on Friday.

The 14 serving and former soldiers began the endurance event on August 8 and ran, kayaked, and cycled to Dover and back for the Army Benevolent Fund.

The team has so far raised almost £5,000 towards its £10,000 target for the fund.

Dave Mason, 45, of Lyneham, was part of the team who carried out the nine-day challenge.

He said: “The weather was almost ideal for what we did, it wasn’t too hot and the wind was a bit hard at times but we got through it. There weren’t any injuries and I think we’d all do it again tomorrow if we could.

“It was a great experience for everyone and it’s all going towards a great charity.”

Starting out from the war memorial in the High Street, the team ran a 30-mile marathon to Lechlade via Kemble before bunking down for the night. They then kayaked 144 miles along the River Thames from Lechlade to Westminster Bridge in London before cycling the 80 miles from London to Dover.

On day five they began the 200-mile sea kayak and cycle from Dover to Marchwood, near Southampton, before completing the final leg of the trip, a 36-mile cycle from Marchwood to Tidworth, followed by a 30-mile run from Tidworth back to Royal Wootton Bassett.

For more about the event and to donate visit www.justgiving. com/teams/rwb-challenge.