A Cumbrian mountain rescue team has spoken of its frustration after members had to stop what they were doing and head out onto the fells for what it said were “100 per cent avoidable” incidents.

A call was made to Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team on Saturday night, via Cumbria police, to assist a group of walkers who were making slow progress off the mountain.

The the team said that the group were in the dark and did not have torches. One walker had also suffered a minor injury.

However, in a post on its Facebook page, Patterdale MRT said: “When we went to meet the original 999 caller, at the pub, we were disappointed to see that he was tucking into his dinner and a glass of red.

“Rather thoughtless given I'd just left my dinner at home. Another team member had just left his dinner with family, another a wedding and another a party. Now we aren't a rescue team known for criticising but this incident was 100 per cent avoidable, and we didn't hear a thank you.

“It turns out that the five were part of a group of 76.

“The leader of the group was safely tucked up back in his accommodation when we called to ask him whether he could account for the other 71.

“It turns out he couldn't and there were two more walkers missing. Luckily they made it down to a campsite under their own steam whilst confusion continued. Let's hope the others are all safe and we're not going back out.”

“Whilst this rescue was going on our colleagues at Langdale Ambleside MRT took another call. This time for two walkers who were lost in the same area. Both teams initiated a search and eventually the missing people made their own way down to the valley.

“This group had separated and both pairs were well and truly lost. Neither really knew where they had been and neither could use a map properly.... not that that would have helped as they didn't have one. Neither did they have torches.”

The team has asked anyone heading out onto the fells to make sure that they have a map, appropriate clothing and a torch - and to take walking seriously.