SEVEN pupils from Ulverston Victoria High School flew to Portugal this week to take part in the World Orienteering Championships.

It is the fourth time pupils from the school on Springfield Road have competed in the championships, which are held every two years.

The five girls in the junior girls team, aged 14 and 15 years old, were chosen to compete in the gruelling event after a number of selection races.

They are Helen Berry, Rosie Brocklebank, Rohanna Burrow, Vicky Ramsden and Annalise Sales.

Pupils Sarah Browne, who runs in the school's senior girls team, and Matthew Rooke, who is in the junior boys team, have also been chosen to compete in the select boys and girls team event during the championships.

Each of the pupils will join four others chosen from around the country to represent England against other countries.

The championships will be taking place at Marinha Grande and Leira, which are on the north coast of Lisbon, for seven days from today (Friday) to next Thursday.

The pupils have been training at Hoops Fitness Centre and North Walney and Ronhead during the last three months to prepare for the race.

In Italy, in 1997, the school had one winning team and two winning teams in Israel in 2000.

Sue Butterfield, a parent who helps the team, said the pupils have a hard act to follow.

"They are very, very good, but they do train hard as they are there every Wednesday night.

As well as training they travel to compete in other competitions as well.

The team is actually off to Ireland at the beginning of May and then Sweden during the summer."

The total cost of the trip is £3,500 and has been collected from a number of fundraising events, which included bag backing at Booths supermarket and a sponsored litter pick around the town.

National Wind Power, Ulverston Town Council, Ulverston Rotary Club, the Kyle Fund, Neighbourhood Forum, Barrow Sports Council, Co-ordination Group Publications, Lakeland Orienteering Club and the North West Orienteering Association also contributed towards the cost.