HUNDREDS of students have risen to the challenge in an outdoor pursuit designed to help them bond with their classmates.

Darlington College has been running Team Challenge since the beginning of the new term.

More than 600 first-years have volunteered to take part in a host of exercises, ranging from high ropes courses and canoeing to climbing and raft-building.

They have been taking part in the activities at outdoor centres at High Force, in Teesdale, and Marrick Priory, in Swaledale.

They have also used the water sports centre at Ellerton Park, near Scorton.

Student activities manager at the college, Diane Evans, said: "They take part in both one-to-one and team building sessions.

"It's fascinating watching the students develop over the two-and-a-half day sessions.

"It helps them grow personally and identifies the team leaders, the thinkers, the observers and the doers.

"We have had some fantastic feedback from the students."

Last year, almost 70 per cent of the college's freshers took part, and reported a 97 per cent satisfaction rate.

Mrs Evans said: "They get to know each other and their tutors and the exercise also represents one of the key skills they strive to achieve while at college."

"But most of all they have a lot of fun."