Horton-in-Ribblesdale, the group's starting point, overlooked by Pen-y-ghentA group of teenagers was treated in hospital after a night spent on the fells of the Yorkshire Dales.

Horton-in-Ribblesdale, the group's starting point, overlooked by Pen-y-ghent

The five – three boys and two girls, aged 16 – were taking part in their silver-level Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expedition when they got lost between Horton-in-Ribblesdale and Kettlewell.

The alarm was raised at 9.30pm on Tuesday night after they failed to make a rendezvous in the Wharfedale village they were heading for. Rescuers from the Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association spent the night searching for the youngsters, who were all from the east London boroughs of Tower Hamlets and Newham.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “The five teenagers were found at approximately 9.15am on Wednesday. One of the girls had had an asthma attack and was suffering from hypothermia.

“They were all taken to St James’s Hospital in Leeds where they received treatment before being discharged.”

A helicopter from RAF Leconfield also took part in the search.

Participants at the silver-level of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award are expected to walk for seven hours unaccompanied as part of the tasks they have to undertake to gain the award.