MOUNTAIN rescuers flagged down a passing Royal Navy helicopter to assist with a call-out today.

Langdale and Ambleside Mountain Rescue team was called out at 12.45pm to Greathead Crag, near Grasmere.

A man had slipped on wet ground and sustained a suspected fracture to his lower leg.

A team spokesperson said: "He was treated by team members and we were in the process of evacuating him by stretcher when a Royal Navy helicopter flew past.

"We flagged it down and it helpfully agreed to fly the injured man down to Ambleside.

"We all walked back."

The rescue involved 16 team members and took three-and-a-half hours.