Coastguards and mountain rescuers took part in a ‘business as usual’ training exercise.

Coordinated by HM Coastguard’s Rescue Coordination Centre in Holyhead, coastguards from the Whitehaven and Maryport teams, firefighters from Cumbria Fire and Rescue, and Keswick mountain rescuers took part in the mock scenario.

The outfits work together often, with the mountain rescuers often working with coastguards on inland and coastal waters.

It involved a missing canoeist reported overdue, whose wife raised the alarm for help.

There was a possible second missing canoeist, and search teams worked together on the shoreline and surrounding areas until the casualty was found, stabilised, and brought to safety.

Mike Buratti, HM Coastguard Area Commander for Northwest England, said: "Multi-agency exercises such as this are vital to demonstrate how successfully we can work with other agencies in the event of an incident.

“Regular training and exercising with partner agencies is essential and allows us to adapt, learn and constantly improve."