Axminster police and team in training for the Commando Challenge

AXMINSTER police and a group of young adults have been gearing up for the 10K Commando Challenge next month.

PC Kevin Bennett organised twice weekly training sessions at the Axe Valley Sports Centre and adjacent college sports field.

He said: "The training has been very hard but great fun and all involved have seen their level of fitness improve substantially.

"Each member has undertaken to personally raise sponsorship for the Commando Challenge's chosen charities of the Devon Air Ambulance and the Royal British Legion. I'm confident we are on target to raise in excess of �1,000."

Herald reporter Angela Brennan joined the group for its Tuesday training session, full of energy. She left red-faced and exhausted.

She said: "I started running around and doing the various exercises thinking 'this isn't so bad.' But when they told me that was just the warm up, I thought I'd better pace myself.

"I at least could fall back on the excuse that I had to film them in action - so got to relax a bit. It was still hard work, but I was relieved when the instructor, Mike Anderton, said that was as hard as it gets. It was fun, but it showed how unfit I am!"

PC Bennett thanked the 18 team members for giving up their time and putting in the effort, along with instructor Mike Anderton.

He thanks the following for sponsorship and support: Axminster Power Tools; Trinity House, Leisure East Devon, and the Axe Valley Community College.

He said it is not too late to join. Anybody who is interested can visit the police station. There are limited places still available for the challenge on Sunday, October 11.

* The group will be outside Tesco in Axminster on Saturday, October 3, collecting for the various charities.