A MOUNTAIN rescue team have submitted a planning application as part of their bid to secure a much-needed new base.

A planning application was submitted on March 26 to the South Lakeland District Council by the Duddon and Furness Mountain Rescue Team (DFMRT) to build a brand new two-story building, including parking area and new vehicle access road in Foxfield.

The proposed development will be based in a field adjacent to Foxfield Business Park, which is only 200 metres from their current base that they are renting from SLDC.

The team have raised over £300,000 to fund the build and although they require £600,000 in total the team are confident that the remaining funds will be secured.

A spokesman from the team said: "Now that we have got over £300,000 we are confident that we will be able to raise the remaining funds.

"We have submitted the application so the public is aware of our proposed plans.

"We are still looking to reach our £600,000 total through more fundraising but ideally we are looking for a big sponsor to help us out.

"The lack of facilities where we are currently based is not ideal for training and although they have been brilliant for a time we now need to move on.

"The garages we currently rent are essentially just garages with limited toilet facilities, whereas the new development means we can have a kit room, drying room, new toilets - all that we need to function and move forward."

"Negotiations are under way with the owner of the field and these are going well.

“We are hoping that ideally the new base could be built by the end of 2020 and we are currently working towards securing the remaining funds.

"Any support in helping to achieve this would be much appreciated."

The mountain rescue team serves people who come into difficulty across Furness and by the Duddon estuary and have carried out many vital rescues over the years.

The team relies on donations from the public and so if you would like to help them achieve that £600,000 please visit their website at: www.dfmrt.org.uk.