TWO North-East contestants are a step closer to winning a place in one of the world's toughest events.
Army officer Richard Jackson and offshore engineer Nicky Scott, both from Newcastle, have passed the first test in a gruelling selection process to take part in the Fulda Challenge.
One of the toughest extreme sports events in the world, it takes place in the Yukon Territory of Canada, in January and February.
Events will include skiing, mountain biking, ice climbing, car pulling and 4x4 driving - all in extreme arctic conditions.
The pair have made it to a shortlist of 11 competitors from across the UK, who will battle it out for who will represent Great Britain in the event.
First, they will take part in a five-day European eliminator, in Sulden, Italy, starting on September 30.
They were selected after spending a weekend at the Royal Marine Commando Training Centre, in Devon.
The punishing schedule involved a number of endurance challenges designed to test physical and mental fitness, including a 12km road run, 23km mountain bike race and a vertical rope climb.
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