MEN and women from all over the region swapped their business suits for combats during an Army-style weekend.

They enjoyed two days of driving military vehicles, solving problems and sleeping under the stars as part of Exercise Executive Stretch, at Catterick, North Yorkshire.

Participants from more than 60 companies, councils and health trusts demonstrated their water skills, turned their hand at being a vehicle mechanic and had to be able to cope with heights.

All the action was centred around a mock-up village, which is designed to help soldiers practice operations in built-up areas.

Representatives from businesses in Durham, Cleveland, Tyne and Wear, and North Yorkshire took part.

They were set tasks by Tyne Tees Regiment - a Territorial Army regiment normally based in Durham.

An event organiser said the exercise helped participants to learn leadership and team-building skills "as well as a lot about themselves".