STUDENTS at Kingdown School in Warminster have been clocking up the miles on cycling challenges abroad and at home.

One group jetted off to Vietnam earlier this month, where they kept up with a busy 12-day schedule which consisted of cycling up to 80km a day.

They also took the time to learn about the country’s culture by visiting museums and chatting to locals tending their crops in the villages.

Geography teacher and trip organiser Danny O’Callaghan said: “The students did superbly well – the last day was very brutal.

“They climbed several massive hills in the 90 degree heat.

“I am very proud of them all.”

Best friends Lauren Kitley and Izzy Gore have also been going the distance, cycling 900 miles, the equivalent of Land’s End to John O’ Groats, over just 46 days.

The pair embarked on the gruelling challenge to raise money for charities very close to their hearts: Cancer Research UK and the Breast Cancer Clinic at Bath RUH.

Lauren lost her mum to breast cancer earlier this year and Izzy’s grandad died of cancer in 2012.

Lauren said: “I did find the challenge quite hard – we went out in all weathers.

“But when I was finding it really hard it was my best friend Izzy that kept me going. We just supported each other through the whole thing.”

Izzy said: “I think the hardest part was getting out and about each day, especially when I didn’t feel well or was having a bad day, but when I thought about why we are doing it, it made me keep going.”

The girls have raised a total of £1,465.