SEARCH dogs were involved in an eleven hour rescue of a man in his mid-60s on England's highest mountain.

Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team was called out just before 10pm on Sunday night after Cumbria Police were notified by the hotel where he was staying that he had not returned.

It was known that he had started at Seathwaite in Borrowdale but it was unclear where he had gone but thought most likely to be Scafell Pike.

A team spokesperson said: "This led to a major search of the approaches to Scafell Pike on all sides of the mountain involving Keswick team and the Lake District Search Dogs."

The man was found around 3am at the bottom of the Esk Hause path in upper Eskdale.

The spokesperson added: "He had become disoriented on his descent from Scafell Pike, then overtaken by darkness and decided to make an impromptu bivvy. He was unhurt but cold and tired.

"After some rewarming he was walked back to Taw House Farm in Eskdale.

"The conditions on the mountain were very difficult with strong winds and heavy rain leading to very wet conditions underfoot.

"Once back in Eskdale there will still problems getting out of the valley due to flooding."

The incident closed at 9am.