Three walkers attempting the Three Peaks Challenge had to be rescued after getting lost last night on Scafell Pike.

The mountain was covered in thick cloud and snow at the time. The three lost their way while making their descent from the summit. 11 members of the Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team mounted a search for the trio after they made an emergency call at 4.15 this morning.

Piers Gill, close to where the walkers were found 

A spokesman for the rescue team said: “After a search in deep snow they were located on Middleboot Knotts, near Piers Gill on the north side of Scafell Pike. The party had been sheltering in plastic bivvi bags but were still very cold.  

“The team escorted them down to their car in Wasdale.”

The walkers then continued on their challenge and headed for Snowdon.

The operation took five hours. Hill fog, snow and ice had been forecast for mountains in the area, with gale-force winds causing significant wind-chill.