STAFF at a Chippenham IT company and a Corsham MoD base are preparing to take part in a gruelling three-day event in Snowdonia to help raise money for charity.

Employees at Quicksilva, based in Kington Langley, and a team of workers from the Defence Communication Services Agency, based at Basil Hill, have less than a month to prepare for the Microsoft Challengers Trophy in which up to 50 UK companies battle it out in a test of endurance, skill and stamina.

All money raised will be donated to the NSPCC's Full Stop campaign.

The three-day event, at a secret location in Snowdonia, is geared towards testing team-skills.

Quicksilva team captain Chris King said the group were hoping to capitalise on last year's trophy event, where they ranked 14th.

He said: "The Microsoft Challengers Trophy is a highly effective means of developing team skills which can be taken back to the workplace.

"It is especially motivating to realise we are supporting the NSPCC's work."

Last year teams taking part raised £350,000 for the NSPCC.

This year's competition takes place from June 11 to 15.