HIKING through the deserts of Namibia in sweltering heat may not be most people's idea of the holiday of a lifetime.

But for one Burnley firefighter three weeks in the African sands proved to be an unforgettable experience as he took up the challenge to try and match some of the British Army's toughest soldiers.

James Barrow joined 23 other volunteers from hundreds of hopefuls as they were put through their paces for the BBC TV documentary 'SAS: Are you Tough Enough'.

The BBC2 show pits contestants against some of the elite regiment's most gruelling selection tests including 50k hikes, escape and evasion trials and interrogation. The original group are whittled down to one winner at the end of the three-week long intensive challenge as those who fail to make the grade quit or are thrown off the course.

James, 33, based at Burnley fire station, decided to try and match up to the famous motto of the SAS, Who Dares Wins, after seeing an advert for volunteers on the BBC's website.

The father-of-two, who lives in Rochester Drive with wife Nikki, 31, was chosen for the show, filmed last November, after a selection process in the Brecon Beacons. He said: "I like to keep fit anyway but this was on a completely different level.

"We had to do 50k hikes through the desert with rucksacks on our backs in temperatures of up to 40 as well as taking on board survival and navigation techniques we were being taught.

"There was a lot of mental endurance as well as all the physical stuff, like the interrogation when we had bags over our heads and lights shone in our eyes. You can't crack or that would be the end of it.

"I trained really hard before we went out there by doing a bit of boxing, circuit training in Queen Victoria Park and running up and down Pendle Hill, but it was still tough."

James, who used to box for Sandygate boxing club and who has completed several fell runs and duathlons, said: "I must admit I felt like giving up several times during the three weeks, but managed to carry on and do quite well.

"I was amazed when I got in because after I applied and took part in the selection test I forgot all about it for a while until I got a call out of the blue from the BBC telling me I had been chosen.

"Looking back it was an absolutely fantastic experience, a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I'm glad I did it, though I think I'm a bit old to actually go ahead and join the real SAS."

SAS: Are you Tough Enough, presented by Dermot O'Leary, starts this Sunday at 8pm on BBC2.