Lord Crathorne presents certificates to, from left, Jeremy Daggett, Alan Stockdale and Peter Huff

Three members of a mountain rescue team have each chalked up 50 years’ service with their team.

The three Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association volunteers were presented with certificates by the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire at an event that saw 12 members of the team receive awards for a combined service of 360 years.

President Jeremy Daggett and members Alan Stockdale and Peter Huff all received Mountain Rescue England & Wales citations for their half-century of service to the team, which carries out rescues both on the fells of the Yorkshire Dales and in its caves and potholes.

Mr Huff’s father Len was a founder member of the Grassington-based team in 1948.

The presentation took place at the association’s annual dinner at Elslack near Skipton, attended by 80 members, and the gathering also saw Norman Shorrocks and Jean Reinsch receive life membership awards.

Lord Crathorne, the Lord Lieutenant, paid tribute to all the members for their dedicated and selfless service to saving lives in the Dales. Lord Crathorne, who is also a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Committee on Mountain Rescue, added that he knew of no other team with so many members with such lengthy service.

He is also the team’s patron.

Other guests included the Assistant Chief Constable of North Yorkshire Sue Cross, the deputy chair of North Yorkshire County Council John Fort, PC Jon Rushton the police specialist liaison officer and Stuart and Liz Hird who farm in Yockenthwaite and who give considerable practical support to the team on caving rescues on their land.