Hardenhuish School students raised thousands of pounds towards an expedition to Borneo with a sponsored cycle around the Castle Combe race track.

A group of sixth formers from the Chippenham school spent an hour doing laps of the 1.9mile circuit in a bid to raise as much money as they could for the month-long trip next summer.

Team Borneo co-ordinator Rachel Loveridge said: “They each have to raise £3,000 to go and they were sponsored individually for the cycle.

“They all did really well, and tried their best to keep going and do as many laps as they could.”

Most pupils managed between eight and ten laps, with competition hot between students and staff.

“There are five members of staff going on the trip, and we all had a go around the track,” said Miss Loveridge.

“Some of the staff managed about 12 laps, but they are keen cyclists. The students did really well and it was nice because the route is quite flat.”

The team will be travelling to Borneo for the expedition next summer, where they will take part in community project work and environmental conservation, before trekking up Mount Kinabalu.

The trip follows on from a successful visit to Kenya last summer, where again students took part in projects to help the community.

Miss Loveridge said: “Everyone is getting quite excited now, and with it being only a year away it is fast approaching.”

The fundraising will continue with the sale of refreshments during school performances and a race night in October.