LOCAL companies are needed for Europe's most gruelling inter-business sporting event when it sets up camp at Stonyhurst College in July.

The Mitel Challengers Trophy offers non-stop action for competitors - and Sky TV will be there to record every pain-staking step.

Now in its eighth year, the challenge has so far raised more than £500,000 for charity and has space for just 100 entries - but they are going fast.

Teams will compete over four days between July 9-12 and will face a variety of challenges, including covering 70 kms of terrain around the Ribble Valley and Forest of Bowland on foot, mountain bike and raft plus scaling rock faces and plunging into underground caves!

This year's chosen charity is the Royal National Institute for the Blind's Sunshine Fund.

However one of the biggest obstacles will be the entry fee as entering a team of four and a senior executive costs £4,250. It includes accommodation at Stoneyhurst College, meals and any specialist equipment.

Andrew Finan, director of Challenger UK, said: "This give each team a sense of achievement and helps improve teamwork. In the past we have found that teams with the right mixture of brain and brawn have always done well."

Anyone interested in competing should phone 0141 2217300.

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