A GROUP of teenagers from a church in Halliwell braved the scorching weather at the weekend to complete a two-day trek for their Duke of Edinburgh award.

St Peter's Church has been sending youths off to complete the scheme for more than 10 years but for the first time they were joined by young people from Johnson Fold.

The group of around 20 teenagers, aged between 13-17, set off from Trawden on Saturday morning, camped out overnight and finished their walk near Haworth on Sunday evening.

The determined youngsters carried 18kg backpacks crammed with supplies, maps and compasses and walked for seven hours each day.

This trek was the practice event for the official bronze award walk held later in the year.

Reverend Oly Preston, who helped monitor the youngsters as they walked, said: "It's been a really great two days. A lot of the kids from this weekend have never camped before so it's been a whole new experience for them.

"They had to do all the navigation, all the planning and carry everything themselves. It's been quite a challenge, but they've done really well and we're really proud of them."

St Peter's Duke of Edinburgh scheme is run by the church's youth co-ordinator Sarah Saxon.

She said: “They found it very exhausting and challenging, especially in the heat, but they are rightly proud of themselves for accomplishing it and have a massive sense of achievement.”

The group was split up into smaller sections which each involved participants working as a team to carry their supplies, ensure that tents were put up correctly and help to navigate the countryside.

They also had to cook their own food and, in some cases, deal with minor injuries.

Now that the trial walk is completed, the youngsters must complete a full trek completely by themselves with organisers only observing.

They will also have to learn a new skill, volunteer in the community and take up a new sport, dance or fitness activity.

Once they complete the bronze award they can continue to pursue silver and gold, which involve progressively more difficult challenges.