A Bramhope businessman abseiled down Kielder Dam to escape a pursuing army of rebel soldiers.

David Nolan, from Breary Lane, Bramhope, general manager of Ventura Ltd's call centre in Leeds, spent a day and a half trying to flee an East European country in the midst of a coup d'etat.

The 'Eastern Block country' was in fact Keilder Forest in Northumberland, and the rebel force a collection of highly-trained volunteer reserves in the Territorial Army, but Mr Nolan felt nonetheless "exhilarated."

The 36-hour exercise, called Exercise Executive Stretch, was designed by the Territorial Army to test the physical and mental endurance of company executives in Yorkshire and the North East.

Mr Nolan, one of 80 executives taking part, said: "The scenario of having to escape the country against all odds and with a group of total strangers was so real. I was amazed at how we were made into a formidable team and how much we achieved over one weekend.

"The army got a tremendous team spirit out of us and most of the things we did we never imagined we could do. I never imagined I would readily abseil off Keilder Dam, although we were being caught up by rebel troops at the time."

The annual Exercise Executive Stretch aims to bring the volunteer reserve forces and the regional business community closer together, and to give employers an insight into army training methods, particularly leadership and teamwork.

The scheme's publicity officer, Lieutenant Commander David Dennis, from Menston, said: "All the executives had a wonderful time and I am sure they now fully recognise that the skills the reservists possess can be transferred to the workplace."

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