Bishop Auckland College has welcomed home seven students after a two-week expedition to the Italian Dolomites and the French Pyrenees.

The 14-day adventure was organised as part of the college's Network Challenge programme, a one-year course which allows 16 and 17-year-old students to gain confidence and qualifications.

As well as choosing the destination, the students - Emma Bracker, Brian Williams, Eric Docherty, Laura Catterson, Lyndsey Barnes, John Hamilton and Adam Dixon - raised some of the £8,000 cost of taking part in the expedition.

For the first seven days of the expedition, the students climbed Via Ferrate in the Italian Dolomites.

They spent the second week in the Pyrenees, taking part in activities including white-water rafting, gorge walking and rock climbing.

Nick Pilling, Network Challenge lecturer at the college, said: The expedition gives students the chance to experience a range of exciting activities and builds on what they have learned in the Network Challenge programme."

Student John Hamilton, 16, from Quarrington Hill in Bishop Auckland, believes the expedition has boosted his confidence and given him valuable leadership skills.

He said: "I was chosen to be the treasurer, which meant I was responsible for everything to do with money, from food shopping to buying petrol."

Janice Bracker, mother of Emma, said: "One of the first things Emma said on her return was 'I want to travel, see places and have more experiences like I've had on the expedition'. It has definitely broadened her horizons."