FITNESS fanatics endured a weekend of military-style exercises at Kingham Hill School.

The independent school near Chipping Norton hosted its first two-day residential course run by Xtreme Boot Camps last month which was run by a team of serving and ex-military personnel.

The weekend began with a personal fitness evaluation Friday afternoon before guests were woken on at 5.45am on Saturday to face the first tough cross-country 5km run.

The rest of the weekend involved circuit training, swimming, educational talks on nutrition and lifestyle, and team bonding exercises, all methods used to build mental and physical stamina in the armed forces.

Zoe Evans, co-founder of Xtreme Boot Camps, said: "Everything about the weekend is authentic, right down to the ex-military chef creating the right nutritionally-balanced meals to keep energy levels up.

"Over the two days you can expect to burn up 6000 calories and stretch yourself like never before. When you leave you'll know you've confronted the same obstacles as an active, serving solider."

Xtreme Boot Camps is holding its next Kingham residential weekend from Friday, March 14 to Sunday, March 16 and at a new venue, the Farncombe Estate, Broadway, from Friday, April 4 to Sunday, April 6.

To book a place visit xtremebootcamps.com or call 01386 462334.