Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team was victorious in a rain-soaked celebration of the rescue movement’s 75th anniversary.

The Patterdale team celebrates it victory in the It's A Knockout contest

The team won an It’s A Knockout contest held at the weekend on Ambleside’s rugby ground in which teams from throughout Cumbria took part, along with representatives of the county’s police and a rescue team from RAF Leeming. The celebration day raised £1,500 for the Lake District’s mountain rescue movement.

The event was opened by the Chief Constable of Cumbria, Craig Mackey but was hit by torrential driving rain. Despite the weather, members of the public watched the 14 teams battle for the first prize in a contest reminiscent of the 1970s TV series hosted by the laughing Mancunian Stuart Hall.

There were also displays and demonstrations, including a river rescue, search-dog training techniques, crag rescue and a visit from the Great North Air Ambulance.

The teams line up as the Great North Air Ambulance flies overhead

The event was organised by the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association, the umbrella organisation for rescue teams in the area, to raise the movement’s profile, provide information for the public and recognise the contribution made by the volunteer MRTs and their families.

The day was rounded off with a social event for members and families.

Five youngsters from the Centrepoint charity also took part in the celebration and were then taken on a walk up Aira Force, overlooking Ullswater, the following day by members of MRTs. Tim Farron, Liberal Democrat MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale paid a visit to the Saturday event.