Chris Higgins

A Lake District mountain rescue team has appointed only its fifth leader in 66 years.

Chris Higgins was elected leader of Keswick Mountain Rescue Team, one of the busiest in the country, after Mark Hodgson stepped down from the post.

Mr Higgins follows an illustrious list of leaders which includes three MBEs and an OBE.

Mr Hodgson served 20 year as leader of the team, whose patch covers Skiddaw and Blencathra as well as the Borrowdale fells and the northern slopes of the Scafell Pike range.

He will continue as an active member of the team and a trustee of Mountain Rescue England and Wales, the umbrella body for teams south of the border.

Previous holders of the post were: Lieutenant Colonel Rusty Westmorland, George Fisher and Mike Nixon.

Mark Hodgson, who stepped down as leader last week

Chris Higgins took over as leader at the team’s annual meeting last week.

A team spokesperson said: “The team is one of the busiest in the country with around 150 rescues each year.

“Chris will be ably supported by two new deputy team leaders, Paul Barnes and Chris Harling along with the existing leaders, Simon Hodgson and Chris Gilyon.

“Congratulations to Chris and his deputies and a big thank you to Mark for his considerable contribution to mountain rescue locally, regionally and nationally.”

The Keswick team was established in 1947.