Ten Tors challengers cross finish

The teams spend about six months preparing for the event

Thousands of young people taking part in the gruelling Ten Tors Challenge on Dartmoor have crossed the finish line.

About 2,400 people, aged between 14 and 20, set off on Saturday morning for the two-day trek.

The first of the 400 teams, who tackled a 35, 45 or 55-mile route (56, 72, 88km), finished about 0815 BST.

A spokesman for the Army, which organises the annual event, said the challenge had gone extremely well, with no "significant mishaps".

David Harris told BBC News: "This year the weather has been kind and benign as well and everyone seems to be in very good spirit."

On Saturday about 300 children with special needs - some using Dartmoor ponies for support - completed the seven-mile (11km) Jubilee Challenge.

About 300 people with special needs took part in the Jubilee Challenge

Teams from across the South West - and one from the Channel Island of Guernsey - spent months preparing for the Ten Tors which is in its 49th year.

All the teams had finished by late afternoon.

In 1996, when Dartmoor was struck by a sleet and snow storm, the challenge was abandoned for the first time in its history.

More recently, helicopters were called in to airlift youngsters off the moor after severe weather forced the event to be abandoned.