The Kendal team normally has about 50 callouts a year. Photo: Kendal MRT

A mountain rescuer warned hillgoers to take sensible measures during the hot weather.

The plea follows an exceptionally busy month for the Kendal Mountain Rescue Team.

A team spokesperson said its volunteers usually attend about 50 incidents each year, but have been called out eight times in the first three weeks of July.

Casualties have included a dog that collapsed because of the heat, a runner with chest pains, four from minor falls and two mountain bikers.

Team leader Eddie Harrison said: “This is probably just the result of more people going out on the fells during the exceptionally good weather that we have been enjoying.

“It is essential that people take plenty of water for themselves and any animals they may have with them.

“During these temperatures each person should expect to drink around two litres of water during a day out on the hill.

“Heat exhaustion is a very real threat and this can develop rapidly in to more serious life-threatening conditions.”

The team has been supported by the North West Air Ambulance and an RAF Sea King helicopter in some of the rescues.