ADVENTUROUS youngsters have been making the most of their summer holidays at an activity camp.

Almost 200 youngsters from Durham Army Cadet Force took part in an annual trip to Warcop, in Cumbria, where 32 activities were on offer.

Among the things they sampled were canoeing, rock climbing, archery, go karting and military activities.

In uniform, and proudly wearing the cap badges of famous regiments such as the Durham Light Infantry and the Parachute Regiment, the cadets, aged between 13 and 18, tackled an assault course, ambushes, fieldcraft and map reading.

As a result of the trip, many have expressed a wish to join the regular Army, including Cadet Corporal Gavin Whiting, 16, from Wingate, who wants to be an avionics technician, and Cadet Corporal Michael Robinson, 15, a pupil at Easington Comprehensive School, who wants to be a military policeman.

Cadet Nichola Watson, 16, from Ushaw Moor, intends to study for A-levels and go to university before attending the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst.

She said: "I want to join the Army Air Corps as an officer."

Durham's padre, the Reverend Allan Hughes, held a service at Warcop's war memorial which was attended by cadets and villagers, and visitors to the camp included Lieutenant General Sir Roderick Cordy-Simpson, colonel of the Light Dragoons, and Brigadier MacGregor-Oakford, honorary colonel of Durham Army Cadet Force