A REMARKABLE feat of endurance was accomplished by 16 women as they pulled a van a gruelling 5.5 miles from Dent to Sedbergh.

The women completed the pull in what the organisers said was an outstanding time of one hour and 42 minutes, and in the process they raised around £960 for different causes.

The funds are to be split between Sedbergh's children's playgroup, and the Zebras baby and toddler group.

The event was the sixth of its kind, with previous efforts taking place from various locations. To date, more than £7,000 has been raised for charitable causes.

This year's pull was noteworthy though, as it was the first attempt to feature an exclusively female team of pullers.

"We found it a lot easier than we were expecting," said Lorraine Kirby, a member of the team and wife of event organiser Kevin Kirby. "We were panicking when it came to the hills, but it was really well organised, and we all mucked in and pulled through."

The van was sponsored by British Gas, and employee Andy Todd gave up his morning to steer the vehicle during the event.

Mr Kirby is now organising a seventh car pull, which is to be the biggest yet a planned 16-mile haul from Hawes to Sedbergh.

Some of the funds raised from this forthcoming event will go towards the Jackie Wilson Breast Cancer Appeal. Mrs Wilson, of Roundthwaite, died earlier this year, at the age of 40, after a battle with cancer.

Among the 16 men taking part will be Mrs Wilson's husband, Alan, their son Daniel, and Mrs Wilson's brother Michael.