The group was near the summit of Walna Scar Pass. Photo: Karl and Ali CC-BY-SA-2.0

A group of young people had to be rescued after getting caught out in a thunderstorm on a Lake District fell.

The seven young women were taking part in a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expedition near the summit of Walna Scar Pass above Coniston on Wednesday when the cloudburst struck.

Coniston Mountain Rescue Team was called out about 9.40am when the party, from Hertfordshire, became stranded on the fellside.

A Coniston MRT spokesperson said: “A small party of three rescuers made their way to the party in dangerous conditions and met the group who had started to make their way downhill under instruction from the team.

“While uninjured they were very wet, cold and somewhat shaken. They were taken to the team’s base in Coniston where they were able to dry off and warm up with hot drinks while their group leaders were contacted to take them to their next scheduled campsite.”

The rescue involved seven volunteers from the Coniston team.