Hundreds take part in Tough Mudder challenge at Matterley Bowl near Winchester

To most people it would be the last way you would want to spend a relaxing weekend – but for hundreds of people it was an endurance test like no other as they competed in Hampshire’s Tough Mudder challenge.

People from across the county and beyond descended on Matterley Bowl, near Winchester, to see who was the toughest mudder of all – in what has been described as Europe’s most gruelling assault course.

While some did it for charity, others took part just to get their hands, feet and even faces dirty as they scrambled over six foot walls, scaled a giant pyramid, and launched themselves into thick murky water before running across the fields of the South Downs.

A huge log matrix proved too difficult for some, as they ducked and dived and climbed the grid.

Adults of all ages jumped caverns and dug deep into the ground before running downhill to a specially-made wooden climbing frame which was erected over a grubby-looking watery pit.

There were 26 obstacles scattered throughout the 12-mile course, which included cargo nets, hay bales, 15ft drops into water, mud pits, freezing cold lakes and the quarter pipe.

Some of the more challenging ones were even named.

There was the cliff hanger, the fire walker and even the boa constrictor, which saw people crawl through tiny pitch-black tunnels.