Mountain rescues have become a way of life for two men who have each notched up 25 years of helping people in trouble on the fells.

Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team members Chris Cookson and Ian Cousins have been presented with long service awards by team chairman Martin Pickavance.

Deputy team leader Chris, 48, of Cockermouth, is a software developer.

"The team is like an extended family, with great camaraderie, everybody pulls well together when it counts.

"Things have changed though: the number of call outs has gone up quite a bit, and technology has had quite an impact too, particularly mobile phones. These often allow the alarm to be raised sooner in the event of an accident but also make it easier to call for help when perhaps it’s not really necessary.

"I’ve noticed a definite shift from the being prepared and self reliant approach to being out in the hills I was brought up with, to one where you can call for help at the slightest mishap.

"Mountain Rescue is still a great thing to be involved with, being both challenging and rewarding. The thing I notice most when I look back is the fact it’s become a way of life."

Ian Cousins, 43, is also a software developer and lives in Tallentire.

"It all started for me with bodying for the Search and Rescue dogs. My neighbour Jeff Haslam use to ask me to go and get lost in the fells so that he could train his search dog Megan.

"One day while out training Jeff got a call over his radio that a young woman had fallen under Buckstone Hows and had sustained serious head injuries. Jeff and I were first on scene, it was a pretty daunting situation.

"The rescue team dealt with the casualty and stretchered her off the fell to an awaiting ambulance. Well from that point on I knew that I wanted to be part of the Rescue Team.

"Twenty fives years on I still have the desire to assist people who are unfortunate in the fells.

"I am always amazed at the team spirit that we have in Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team even when we are out in the bleakest of conditions. The team couldn't operate without the amount of time that individuals give and the impact it has on their families."

Martin said: "Their contribution to the team goes well beyond the vital role that they both play on callouts. Chris is also the team’s Training Officer, Ian is the team's Lead Quartermaster.

"These awards go a small way to acknowledging the massive contribution that these two team members have made, and continue to make."