AN intrepid Malvern team will scale peaks, swim lochs and take to the saddle for a gruelling five-day extreme sports challenge.

The Malvern Springers, made up of Dave Fisher, Jonathan Starkey, Sue Howarth, Ruth Finney and Mike Gradwell will compete in the Hebridean Challenge 2005.

Twenty-five teams from across the globe will pit themselves against the clock in a 700km relay race in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, from Monday (July 4) to Friday.

The course is divided into running, road biking and kayaking, in addition, competitors are expected to swim at least 800m per day, either in the sea or a loch.

Teams must gain at least 150 points by the end of the event, and face a time penalty for any deficit.

Overnight camping is organised between each leg of the event, which covers rugged landscape between Eriskay and Great Berneray.

"We've all taken part in a variety of sporting events, but nothing as extreme as this," said Dave Fisher.

"The course isn't set in stone, it's up to each team to decide who does what."

He said the Springers were no strangers to endurance events.

"Two of us have experience in triathalon racing, another one has back ground in time trials and the girls have back ground in fell running."

Mr Fisher, the team's designated kayaker aims to cover around 150km per day.

"I've been kayaking in Scotland before, the landscape is amazing.

"I just hope I can keep going for five days."

He added: "We're aiming to make sure we finish with more than 150 points, we're not intent on winning."

The event will be filmed by BBC Scotland as part of its Extreme Sports programme and will be shown in the autumn.