A MEMBER of the Duddon and Furness Mountain Rescue Team was featured on the BBC's Countryfile.

Mike Margeson, who is also operational lead at Mountain Rescue England and Wales, was interviewed on the programme, after previously appearing on the show.

In an earlier episode, Mike was part of a team who took part in a mock exercise, which involved rescuing Countryfile reporter Ellie Harrison on Stickle Pike.

Countryfile then caught up with Mike to discuss the demands of mountain rescue teams during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mike, who was recently awarded an OBE for his services to mountain rescue, told the show: “What a challenging year – in some parts of the country even during the lockdown, they were nearly as busy or busier. Once lockdown finished, as we predicted, it was a bit like a tsunami, on 1st September, we were at the same or more than the figures for 2019.

“Winter rescues are inevitably going to be longer and more serious, less hours of light. We have got all our Covid PPE that has to be decontaminated. Everything takes twice as long. At the moment let’s just keep local – the mountains are going to be there tomorrow, the next day and in six-months-time.”

Mike said he hopes his key message will be remembered by viewers.

“I am very keen for the right message to get across at the moment, like I said on the show, the mountains will always be there. If members of the public could stick to the government guidance and stay local and doing things within their means, that would be so helpful for mountain rescue teams. Now is not the time to be taking big adventures.”

With the government now planning to ease restrictions with their roadmap expected to be published next week, Mike is now anticipating a hectic summer and wants visitors to follow necessary precautions.

“We’re expecting a very busy summer in the Lake District. We advise everybody to go to the Adventure Smart website and follow their guidance. Prepare yourself with the right clothing and equipment, the temperature will always be different on the fells compared to Barrow town centre.”