A TEAM of Black and Decker employees set out to prove that you need the right tools for the job when they took up a tough Northern challenge.

A group of eight workers at the firm's Spennymoor base tackled an arduous trek, when they went head-to-head with other teams competing in the Cumbria Challenge.

The event started at 6am with a climb to the summit of Skidaw, followed by a 24-mile mountain bike ride through the hills and valleys of Whinlatter Pass.

Stage three was a stamina-sapping nine-mile hike over the mountainous ridges of High Spy, before jumping into makeshift rafts on the southern edge of Derwent Water for a four-mile paddle along the length of the lake. The Black and Decker boys were the first to finish in 11 and a half hours, and raised £6,300 for Guide Dogs for the Blind.

One of the team, Bill Marley, said: "It was extremely hard work, but thoroughly enjoyable.

"We are thrilled we raised so much money for Guide Dogs for the Blind."

It took five months of training and numerous fundraising events including a sportsmen's dinner, company pledges and sponsorship for the team.

The other team members were: Grahaeme Stoke, Sion Netzler, Brian Watson, Kevin Wilson, Adrain Howels, Gary Shears and Sharon Wilson.