Springfields School pupils who are embarking on a polar trek are to be the stars of a BBC One documentary.

Four pupils from the school in Calne are being joined by a host of top athletes as they trek across the Arctic in aid of DORE, the charity for Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and ADHD.

And their final few weeks of training - including a trip to the University of Gloucestershire’s climate chamber - will be captured on camera and shown as a half-hour documentary on BBC One when they return.

Trystan Williams, head teacher at Springfields, is also going on the 60-mile trek in March, where the explorers will face -40C conditions.

He said: “They were just going to do a five-minute piece for the news as a feel-good story.

“But now it’s going to be a full half hour so we are really pleased. I joked with the producers that we would love to be on after Eastenders or Casualty.

“They are going to come in to school for a few days and do some filming of the pupils in training. And then they will be with us for the duration of the trip.”

It has also been confirmed that Danone, the dairy giant, will be a main sponsor of the expedition. And former Springfields pupil and Rotary citizen of the year Luke Dicker will be joining the group.

Mr Williams said: “The trek is really building a head of steam. Everybody is starting to get behind us and support us.

“It is great for the kids and for everyone involved, especially the DORE foundation, because they are the reason we’re going.”