YOUNGSTERS have scaled Mount Everest without leaving the grounds of their school.

A team of 1,600 pupils at Farringdon Community School, Sunderland, began climbing a 40ft Army abseiling wall on Thursday.

They have completed enough climbs to surpass the 8,850m height of one of the world's biggest mountains. Teacher Fred Johnson said: "It has been an outstanding success, a fabulous couple of days for everyone who took part.

"As part of our drive towards attaining sports college status we need to raise £50,000 ourselves.

"The children really enjoyed it and it taught them a lot of important things about teamwork and communication.

"With less than half the sponsor forms in, we've raised just over £5,000. We're very grateful to the Army for providing the equipment to help us start to climb our own Everest."

The Army's Northumberland careers advisor, Major Bob Bustard, said: "Farringdon's Everest fundraising initiative and its plans to become a specialist sports college reflect the Army's own fitness-oriented, team-based approach.

"We are very happy to provide the equipment and give the support they need to undertake the climb.