FIREfighters and support staff are determined to go the distance to raise funds for the Royal National Lifeboat Institute.

Cleveland Fire Brigade is entering four teams - two of them all-women - in a tri-sport challenge on Kielder Water and in the forest, later this month.

Competitors Gill Hardy, Diane Hurst and Heather Rawson have been cooking up lunchtime treats like chilli con carne and mince and dumplings to raise funds, and put pounds on their rivals' waistlines.

Ms Hardy said: "We are in this for fun really. We don't expect to win, but we are enjoying the fundraising, preparing for the challenge - and looking forward to the party afterwards."

The other all-girl team of administrative staff includes Theresa Stott, Marie Wilson and Katherine Hodson.

Ms Stott said: "We aim to be as fit and practised as possible for the eight miles of off- road biking in the forest, five miles of orienteering over a forest course and flat water paddling for a mile on the reservoir."

The two teams of firefighters are made up of Stockton Station Sub-Officer Ian Dowson, Sub-Officer Richie Burnicle, from the training centre at Grangetown, Leading Firefighter Martin Garrett from Saltburn station, Marine Station Sub-Officer Paul Cole and firefighters Mark Clynch and Dave Winton.