A LEADING endurance athlete has opened the first wild running assault course to be built at a school in the UK.

Thirsk-based businessman and former Army physical training instructor Paul Rafferty, who has won the combined services triathlon three times, launched the 2.3km course at Queen Mary's School, in Baldersby Park, near Topcliffe, at an inter-house competition.

Also known as a Wolf run - featuring sections of water, obstacles, land and forest - the intention is that it will encourage teamwork.

The course was built following a donation from the Corner family, whose daughter Clemmie was a former pupil at the school.

A school spokeswoman said: "It’s a fantastic opportunity, not just for our girls, but it also offers potential for inter-school competitions and for use in the wider community in team-building exercises."