A GROUP of army youngsters battled heat, poison and wild animals to conquer the highest mountain in Cyprus.

Cadets from Barrow, Dalton and Kendal travelled with Cumbria Army Cadet Force to Cyprus during half-term to climb Mount Olympus.

Barrow's branch of the Royal Society of St George sponsored cadets from the town, raising £900, while local area bag packs contributed a further £2,000 to make the trip possible.

Major Rachel Diss, company commander for Burma Company, said: "The expedition was a great adventure, going up and around Mount Olympus and ending with ice creams in Troodos village.

"I'm proud of what all the cadets achieved and I hope this expedition will spark their interest in simply being out in the mountains."

After arriving in Troodos Station, their base for the expedition phase, the group received a day's training on heat and climatic injuries, hygiene and poisonous animals and plants.

The three-day expedition culminated at the top of Mount Olympus, the highest point in Cyprus.

Upon their return to the camp, the group were taken to the headquarters of the 1st Battalion of the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, where they spent the day working with the sniper platoon.

Colonel Anthony Steven, commandant of Cumbria ACF, said: "This exercise is the first major foreign adventurous training expedition we've put on in more than 20 years.

"Our visit to the 1st Battalion of the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment was the first county visit to our parent regiment since it was formed over a decade ago."