MOUNTAIN rescue crews had a busy Easter weekend following the release of thousands of safety leaflets across the Lakes.

Dozens of visitor centres, hotels and tourist hotspots have been targeted, alerting people to the hazards of the fells.

A man was stretchered by the Patterdale MRT from a Lake District mountain and taken to hospital following a fall.

They rescued the man on the Glenridding valley path leading to Red Tarn on the eastern flank of Helvellyn on Saturday.

The man's injuries were not life threatening, but they were a reminder of the dangers faced by even experienced climbers.

This callout comes as the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association put out an Easter message to advise people of how to stay safe on the fells.

The association distributed thousands of leaflets ahead of the bank holiday weekend, which included information about what to wear, kits and potential dangers and hazards to avoid.

A spokesman said: "These safety leaflets are primarily targeting those people who perhaps need a little bit of help in preparing themselves for their outings onto the fells, many of whom won’t have been high up on a mountain before.

"We were relieved to see the numbers of call outs in 2016 drop by around 10 per cent compared to 2015 where we had a worrying 535 call outs.

"Last year still received a large number, of around 100 999 calls for what we regard as totally avoidable."

The Langdale Ambleside MRT, one of the teams that make up the LDSMRA, gave its support towards the Easter leaflet campaign.

Nick Owen, team leader for the LAMRT, said: "We fully endorse it. There is a timing, we plan to get them out at this part of the year, but the message applies all year round."

Fortunately Mr Owen and his team had a quiet Easter, however, that will not make the team complacent. Mr Owen said they had already been called out 30 times this year.

It costs around £500,000 a year to run the 12 teams which are funded through voluntary donations.

The Coniston MRT were called out this weekend after two women were separated from their group on the Old Man, and became lost as they tried to make it back down. Fortunately, they were found safe and unharmed.

In another incident the Patterdale MRT also treated a four-year-old boy who was brought to the rescue centre with a head injury.

The youngster, who had fallen down some stairs and banged his head, was examined by a MRT doctor before being referred to Penrith minor injury unit for further assessment.

To learn more about safety in the Lake District,visit

www.ldsamra.org.uk/advice.aspx.

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