A search was mounted this morning for two walkers who are missing in the Cairngorms.

The pair were reported overdue about 8pm last night after failing to return from a trip on to the Cairn Gorm plateau. Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team, an RAF helicopter and police are involved in the search, which started early today.

Freezing temperatures and heavy snowfalls are hampering the operation. Avalanche risk in the northern Cairngorms was high – category four – yesterday, expected to fall to category three today.

Walker Teresa Conalty died after falling from Fiacaill a’ Choire Chais in the northern corries of Cairn Gorm last Saturday.