THE newly-installed High Sheriff of Cumbria presented Kirkby Stephen Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) with an award for services to the community and visitors to the county.

Sam Rayner praised the 30 volunteers during an open day at the team base station on Saturday. (April 4)

Mr Rayner said: “We all tend to think of the mountain rescue team as purely operating on the fells, but they are increasingly asked to respond to other rescue situations because of the skills and equipment they have”.

During the tour of the base Mr Rayner learnt about the latest tracking system for rescuers on the fells, the cost of operating the service and the current urgent needs in terms of funding for the service.