WHEN the rowing got tough, the 670 Squadron students at Middle Wallop got rowing.

In a team effort to buy new play equipment for Wallop Primary School, trainee pilots took part in a 24-hour rowathon.

The marathon fundraising session pitted the squadron instructors against the students, with the students taking an early lead.

Team captain Major Martin said: "We are trying to do what we can for the community and there is no better cause than a local primary school.

"The toughest bit is always the last two minutes of the rowing because we do 1,000 metres each and then having to wait to start up again with a 35 minute gap."

Staff from Barclays Premier, a division of Barclays Bank, joined the teams and kept up with the pace set by the military.

Staff member Steve Hocking said: "It's great to support a local school and luckily, spending time in the gym means we can just about keep up."

The final fundraising figure of £1,691.50 was unveiled to staff at Wallop Primary School at their Easter Fair.