WALKERS placed Helvellyn at the peak of popularity in a poll of Britain's 100 favourite walks.

England's third highest mountain was the overall winner in this week's ITV show presented by keen fellwalker Julia Bradbury and sports journalist Ore Oduba.

Around 8,000 people cast their votes and the result has been greeted on social media site Twitter by the Lake District National Park Authority and footpath repair team Fix the Fells, which looks after seven of the 100 routes - Helvellyn, Catbells (4th), Scafell Pike (5th), Buttermere (7th), Old Man of Coniston (8th), Coffin Route, Ambleside (27th) and Wainwright's Coast to Coast (54th).

Julia Bradbury posted a rain-soaked picture of herself on Twitter, approaching Helvellyn's 950-metre (3114 feet) summit via Striding Edge. She tweeted: "The rain & mist was so intense I got wet through. And look at the visibility..well, you can't. Careful up there peeps if you've been inspired by @ITV100Walks @ITV. But enjoy - it's epic."

Describing Helvellyn as "doable and accessible", she said that as with any walk people needed to take "the right kit" and be prepared. She added: "Try not to get those lovely volunteers @mountrescueuk get you off the mountain."

Richard Warren, chairman of the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association, told the Gazette it was "good news" that a number of Lakeland fells had been ranked in the top 100 by walkers for their importance and beauty.

The Wasdale MRT member added: "Do look at the advice with regard to preparation for going out on the mountains, particularly during winter conditions, where we are now." The safety advice leaflet Stay Safe and Enjoy the Fells can be downloaded at www.ldsamra.org.uk

Helvellyn is famously climbed every day in winter, including Christmas Day, by fell-top assessors to record temperature, snow depth, wind speed and underfoot conditions, and to assess risks such as potential avalanches.

According to the LDNPA, a fell-top assessor’s nine-day shift is equivalent to reaching higher than Everest’s summit, and wind chill as low as -16C must be braved. The 950m peak has a large east-facing headwall that retains snow and ice

The data is used to update the Lake District Weatherline phone and online service which helps protect 17 million visitors and locals - call 0844-8462444 or visit www.lakedistrictweatherline.co.uk