STAFF at an Ellesmere Port-based marketing firm swapped their office suits for wet suits as they completed several team-building tasks as part of their summer ‘away day’.

More than 40 employees from Event Marketing Solutions (EMS) took part in a series of challenges that took them on a testing tour of Cheshire and North Wales.

Managing director Keith Austin said: “We work so hard all year round and our annual away day is a great way to get our people to relax and let their hair down.

“At EMS, we believe it’s really important to invest the time in our staff, even in the current economic climate.

“Events like this pay dividends both for the company and the staff - they help integrate people across the business and allow our new recruits to get to know their colleagues.”

The day began with breakfast at the offices in Ellesmere Port before heading to the Maize Maze in Brimstage, Cheshire, where teams competed in a treasure hunt.

Next followed a picturesque drive to Bala Lake in Snowdonia where each team had to build a raft from scratch.

Four members of each team then donned wetsuits and hauled them out on to the lake to test them.

A campfire beside a giant tepee and marquee welcomed the teams to the campsite at Porthmadoc, where everyone enjoyed a fish and chip supper.

Once the rain had stopped, the teams regrouped for games on the beach.

Keith added: “Everyone pulled out all the stops to ensure it was another hugely successful and memorable summer away day.”