MOUNTAIN rescuers were called after two walkers reported themselves lost in the snow on a Lake District mountain.

The pair on Scafell Pike said they thought they were close to the summit, although rescuers were unable to make immediate contact with them after being notified of the incident by police.

"'Phone find' didn't work, messages were sent, but it wasn't possible to speak to them until some time later, by which time they had found a path and were making their way off the hill," said a spokesman for Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team, which was called at around 3pm on Tuesday.

"A team member went in search of the car to leave a message asking them to get in touch when they were down, which they did.

"They managed to get themselves off the hill without the team having to deploy."