RESCUERS were called to the aid of a St Bernard who had collapsed on England’s highest mountain.

Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) was contacted by Cumbria Police at about 5.30pm on Friday to help four-year-old Daisy who was stranded with her owners at Brown Tongue on Scafell Pike.

A spokesperson for Wasdale MRT said Daisy, who weighs 55kg, had fallen while descending from the summit and was displaying signs of pain in her rear legs.

West Lakeland Veterinary Group and Galemire Veterinary Hospital provide advice regarding pain relief, possible issues for Daisy’s breed and how best to handle her in the situation.

Until help arrived, her owners kept her well-hydrated and fed.

It took 16 team members almost five hours to lift Daisy to safety.

“A few different tactics needed to be tried until both Daisy and her stretcher bearers were all satisfied and progress down-hill could be made.

“It had become quickly apparent that Daisy’s cooperation was going to be essential if we were to make progress as Daisy made sure we knew that if she didn’t want to do something, she wasn’t going to do it," said the spokesperson. "However, after a little persuasion and a bit of arranging the stretcher to become dog friendly and of course plenty more treats, Daisy very quickly settled down with her chin resting on the head guard, having realised that we were trying to help her.

“From there on, apart from the odd little adjustment, the evacuation was not that much different to a normal adult evacuation which is of course is the bread and butter of our team, which we have done hundreds of times before.”

Daisy, who had a hard start in life until she was rescued by her current owners a few months ago, was reported to have had a good night’s sleep and was back to her usual high spirits the following morning.

The spokesperson jokingly added: "She apparently feels a bit guilty and slightly embarrassed about letting down the image of her cousins bouncing across the Alpine snows with barrels of brandy around their necks."

The team thanked West Lakeland Veterinary Group and Galemire Veterinary Hospital for their "invaluable advice and support" and Daisy who was so well behaved throughout the rescue.

Wasdale MRT relies solely on donations to survive. To donate visit JustGiving.com/Wasdalemrt.