Keen walkers are training for the annual White Horse Challenge to raise money for Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

The event, in its ninth year, has a choice of distances taking in seven of the county’s White Horses – Pewsey, Alton Barnes, Marlborough, Hackpen, Broad Town, Cherhill and Devizes.

Newcomers to the event, on the weekend of July 5 and 6, are two teams from the Coventry Building Society in Trowbridge.

The society asked its customers which charity it should fundraise for this year and the clear winner was Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

Shona Barker, manager of the Trowbridge branch, and Laura Byrne, customer service assistant, will do the two-day challenge of 52 miles and three staff members and a colleague from the Bradford on Avon branch will be doing the seven-mile family challenge.

Mrs Barker, 37, and Miss Byrne, 31, enjoy walking, but have not completed such a distance like the White Horse Challenge. They both live in Melksham and their training will include walking to work twice a week.

Mrs Barker said: “I didn’t know there were so many White Horses in Wiltshire – I have been to the Westbury White Horse – so I am looking forward to seeing those. We hope to raise as much as possible and what we raise will be doubled by the company.”

Miss Byrne said: “I’m not athletic, but I’m determined to do it.”

Customers can sponsor the staff members at their branch in Market Street.

The White Horse Challenge has raised just over £97,000 in the past eight years. Participants can enter individually or as teams.

See www.whitehorsechallenge.

co.uk or call Zoe Meaden at co-organisers Monahans chartered accountants on 01225 785520.