EXMOOR men Brian Martin and Bob Fisher have completed the notorious GR20 trek along the mountainous spine of Corsica.

Brian, an Exford parish councillor, is leading an effort to get new play equipment on the village green and Bob, of Simonsbath, suggested the trek - reputedly one of the most difficult in Europe.

The trek raised over £800 and the fundraising is about halfway towards the phase one target of £30,000.

The first day is an ascent of 5,000 feet and then the trail goes up and down the mountains and valleys.

They tackled the most difficult part doing nine nights in the mountains, starting at Calenzana in the north and finishing at Vizzavona in central Corsica.

The total cumulative ascent was of 23,000ft and, thanks to a train journey down to the coast at the end, the descent was less at 20,000ft.

Bob and Brian trained on Exmoor with rucksacks weighed down with books.

Brian said "We had to be looking at our feet most of the time because much of the route is on rubble, scree and boulders.

"While no ropes were required, there is a lot of clambering and climbing, and in a few severe places there are fixed chains to add a degree of safety.

"It was tough, with some long days of seemingly endless climbs and descents, but the views were stunning and rewarding."

For Brian, the trek "made a change"! As reported in the Free Press at the time, in 2008 he cycled across Australia and in 2011 he cycled across Vietnam and Cambodia.

He would like to thank everyone who supported him - and Bob for suggesting the adventure, although there were times during the trek when Brian was not sure it had been such a good idea!