Outdoors enthusiasts are needed to hit the trail to help the team. Photo: Simon Walton RPMRT

Rescuers are urging outdoors fans to hit the saddle and put their best foot forward in a challenge event next month.

Proceeds from the Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue Team’s inaugural Novice Adventure Challenge will swell the coffers of the volunteer team.

The event will test entrants’ navigation skills by mountain bike and on foot as they search the Gisburn Forest for 30 checkpoints. Half will be on foot and half by bike.

A spokesperson for the team said: “All you have to do is find as many as you can in four hours, making sure that you don’t get penalised for running over time.

“Rossendale and Pendle MRT members will be spread through the forest to help you out when needed.

“The course is designed for individuals or pairs with little or no experience of adventure challenges, although basic navigation skills will definitely be required.”

GPS units are banned on the event, which costs £25 per person to enter. The challenge starts at 9am on Saturday, 2 April.

More details and a downloadable entry form are on the Rossendale and Pendle MRT website.

The team covers 900 sq km (350 square miles) in east Lancashire, Pendle, Rossendale and Greater Manchester. It had 133 callouts last year ranging from finding lost people and technical rope rescues to supporting the other emergency services in extreme weather with its specialist kit.