Despite one of the worst lightning storms the Woodhouse Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award team have seen on their annual expedition (now in its eighth year), 43 students returned home safely after spending three nights on the North Downs in Surrey.

The students, in teams of between five and seven members, hiked 50 kilometres with full packs on their backs as practice for the assessed expedition in two weeks, on the South Downs. The groups were actually quite lucky with the weather, managing to get tents up and down each day in dry conditions.

The storm came on the final night, after students had completed a days hike without the assistance of a staff member (staff accompany groups on the first full day of practice to impart map reading skills and acquaint students with the country code - and tell them when they are lost...).

The last poor group limped home after 9pm having been 'lost in the wilderness' for quite a few hours, and had just enough time to make camp before the rain hit, accompanied by a spectacular display of lightning which, for long periods, seemed almost constant.

There was little else to do other than bunker down in tents and try to sleep, though few managed much as the thunder boomed long into the night and torrential rain beat a relentless drum solo on the canvas.

But by morning the clouds lifted a little and students emerged tired and bedraggled to begin the final hike back to Gomshall station and onto the comfort of their own beds.

Certainly a night to remember for most and an exciting end to an exhausting trip, but they'll be recovered, ready and better prepared to do it all again.