LAST year proved to be a record breaker for members of the Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team.

For the team has seen an 18 per cent increase in the number of incidents it responded to in 2016 compared with the previous year.

The 66 calls included 29 rescues for climbers, fell/trail runners and horse riders, 27 searches for lost or overdue walkers, nine incidents where the service was put on alert or gave advice to calling authorities, and one resilience incident where members helped stranded vehicles in heavy snow.

“All members are volunteers and have a shared interest in providing a vital life-saving service, 24 hours a day, 365 days each year,” said team leader Iain Nixon.

The team, which is reliant on voluntary donations and grants from charitable trusts, was recently bolstered by three new members. Stuart King from Morpeth, Cameron Williams from Rothbury and Mark Linsley from Cramlington, all completed their training.

Eight existing members also qualified as mountain rescue casualty carers, enabling them to undertake a number of procedures over and above normal first aid, including the administration of pain relief to casualties.