STATISTICS show 2016 was a very busy year for mountain rescues in the Lake District.

Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team recorded its fourth busiest year on record, receiving 117 emergency calls and 73 call-outs of some description.

READ MORE: Lakes rescue team issues warning after ill-prepared group gets stuck on England's highest mountain

Analysis from the team showed that August was by far the busiest month for incidents, accounting for roughly one-fifth of all activity for the year.

The most common cause for call-out was people becoming lost followed by injuries and medical episodes and then people being overdue from their walk or day-out.

A spokesperson for Wasdale MRT said: "In 2016, August was clearly the busy month with around 20 per cent of all activity for the year. Those who were involved certainly remember being called out almost every day, sometimes more than once.

"Over the years a consistent picture has emerged in terms of when particular types of incident occur. Most injuries/medical problems occur between 2pm and 6pm and 72 per cent of these incidents have occurred between 12pm and 6pm.

"The losts generally phone in between 3pm and 9pm (62 per cent) while overdues tend to be reported later, between 6pm and midnight (58 per cent).

"The main issue in 2016 was the increase in the number of people reporting themselves lost whilst on the mountain by mobile phone.

"It can be seen this is partly an issue during the summer holidays but there is also an increase in October, usually when people are caught out by the shorter days without a torch."

The team experienced their highest number of cragfasts in 2016 with 11 incidents of people struggling to make their way off hills or getting caught out by the shorter days.

Rescuers have already had a busy start to 2017, attending four incidents in the Lake District on New Year's Day.

1) Patterdale MRT was called out to aid a woman who sustained a suspected broken ankle while walking in Grisedale.

2) Langdale Ambleside MRT attended Wansfell after a man slipped on a rocky path and injured dislocated his hip. The team stretchered the man to a waiting air ambulance.

3) Coniston MRTand Duddon and Furness MRT rushed to the aid of a man who fell near the summit of the Old Man of Coniston.

4) Keswick MRT was also alerted to a man who had fallen and suffered a suspected broken leg north-east of Dalehead Tarn.

Advice for walkers

● Go prepared for all eventualities.

● Wear windproof and waterproof clothing and sturdy footwear.

● Let somebody know where you are heading and what time you are due back.

● Take a torch, first aid kit, spare batteries, map and compass.

● Not just rely on a mobile phone and instead take a whistle. In emergency situations, give six good long blasts in a minute, stop for one minute, and repeat.

What to do in an emergency on a mountain

1. Give any casualty first aid - make sure their breathing is unobstructed, dress wounds to prevent bleeding, and keep them warm and sheltered.

2. Send for help by calling 999 and ask for police.

3. Make sure you are put through to Cumbria Police.

4. Tell the police operator that you need mountain rescue.

5. Tell them where you are, giving a grid reference if possible, and the details of the incident and injury. Give them a contact number.

6. The police and rescue team will ensure an ambulance comes if one is needed. You do not need to call 999 again.

7. Stay by the phone and in a place where you can receive a signal.

8. A rescue controller will ring you and take further details such as position, landmarks if lost, and terrain before mobilising the team.