MOUNTAIN rescue teams have seen a 70 per cent increase in call-outs during December.

Richard Warren, chairman of the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association, put out a warning after teams throughout the county got 31 callouts this month, as of December 24, compared to 18 for the same period last year - with many of those rescued coming from Tier Three covid-19 restricted areas.

He said:"Team members are all unpaid volunteers and we must protect them from asymptomatic covid-19 casualties.

"If a team is infected on a rescue it can mean they all have to isolate, this has to be avoided at all costs.

"Exercise within your limits and avoid taking risks especially now winter is here.

"Know your level of skill, competence and experience and those of your group.

"Make sure you have the right equipment for your trip to the hills.

"Learn how to navigate, take a water proof map and a compass, don’t rely on smart phone technology, it can let you down.

"Take a torch, you never know when your activity will catch you out or you go to the help of another walker.

"Take a power bank battery charger it will save you a lot of grief plus allow you to take even more of those memorable photos.

Assistant Chief Constable Andrew Slattery from Cumbria Constabulary said: “There is always the potential for accidents on our fells and they can happen to anybody, but where callouts are avoidable this just puts team members and their loved ones at unnecessary risk.

"Please adhere to the guidance on travel from Tier Three, and Four, areas.”

For information go online to : www.adventuresmart.uk