The hardy young souls of the 34th Reigate (Meadvale) Explorers are celebrating winning the Reigate District Great Escape Camp for a record fifth year on the trot.

The unit's Unicorns team triumphed through the programme of tasks and tests, followed by their fellow unit team-mates, the Dragons.

It was the second year in a row that the unit had also taken the runners-up spot.

The district-wide event is run each year at Broadstone Warren Camp site in Sussex, with the event challenging units to learn survival skills.

34th Reigate (Meadvale) Explorer leader Spencer Mitchell said: “The units are given ration packs to survive on over the weekend, and have to make shelters to sleep in. “They then have to visit bases and complete tasks.”

The different bases and tasks in this year's weekend challenge camp included simulated minefields, First Aid tests on soldiers mocked up to have been injured in parachute jumps, an assault course and night operations.

The Reigate youngsters also completed tests of their code-breaking skills, archery prowess and observation.