Gummer's How. Photo: Nigel Corby CC-BY-SA-2.0

A birthday stroll up a Lakeland fell took a turn for the worse when a family got lost and headed in the wrong direction.

The family of six raised the alarm when they got lost when thick mist and rain enveloped the summit of Gummer’s How, overlooking the southern end of Windermere lake.

Kendal Mountain Rescue Team was alerted by police at 2.35pm today, Friday, and went to the aid of the family, the mother of which was celebrating her birthday.

The group had headed north to descend from the 321m (1,053ft) summit of the hill, rather than their intended route to the South.

A spokesperson for the team said: “When we located the group they were all well but cold and wet, and the children were hungry.

“We gave them warm and dry clothing, fed the children with chocolate and Kendal mintcake, and led them off the hill back to the car park.”