Harry Long, front, with fellow award winners at the North Yorkshire Police event

Police have honoured mountain rescue volunteers for their unstinting work in North Yorkshire.

Members of mountain and search and rescue organisations gathered last week at Solberge Hall near Northallerton for the second annual ceremony. Five team members were presented with special achievement awards for exceptional service.

Chief Constable Grahame Maxwell said: “I am very pleased that we are able to show our appreciation for the dedicated support we receive from the search and rescue teams.

“They do a fantastic job and I thank every one of them for the help they offer North Yorkshire Police whenever we may need it.”

Recipients of special achievement awards for exceptional service within their own teams were: Pete Dean of the Cave Rescue Organisation; Paul Smith of Cleveland Search and Rescue Team; Andy Crossley of Scarborough and Ryedale Search and Rescue Team; Mac Bryant of Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team; and Harry Long of Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association.

Five volunteers also received achievement awards for not only offering exceptional service within a particular team but also working closely with the police in a strategic capacity. They were: Dave Gallivan of the Cave Rescue Organisation; Gari Finch of Cleveland Search and Rescue Team; Andy Crossley of Scarborough and Ryedale Search and Rescue Team; Paul Denning of Swaledale Mountain Rescue; and Tony Dean of Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association.

Jane Kenyon, chairman of the police authority added: “This is an acknowledgement of the importance that we place on partnership work with our rescue services saving lives and serving our communities.

“This event underscores that enormous contribution made by unsung heroes.”

PC John Rushton of the force’s tactical planning unit said: “These awards are a great way of showing our gratitude to the members of these teams who provide us with such an important and professional service.

“We greatly appreciate the support they offer us and this is our way of thanking the search and rescue teams for all their hard work.”

The volunteer mountain rescue teams and lowland search teams operate under the control of the police in Great Britain. The Cave Rescue Organisation, Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team and Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Organisation all undertake both cave rescue and fell rescue.