MARINES marched into a school near Chard to whip more than 80 children into shape.

The forces organised activities across two days, which included an overnight camp, an assault course, team building exercises, hiking, and campfires.

The event was held at Thorncombe St Mary School, to the south of Chard.

Head of School Emily Smith said: “It has been really successful with a mixture of children, 80 in total, from across the Acorn multi-academy trust.

“We encouraged them to be together with new children from across the schools.

“Through all these opportunities, children showed a superb ability to to take on real work as a team.

“Working alongside the marines, children learnt a lot of life skills while building physical fitness and learning to take a role in a team.”