The walkers were benighted on Scafell Pike. Photo: John Proctor CC-BY-SA-2.0

Two walkers were rescued from the top of England’s highest peak after getting lost in the dark.

The pair called for help from the 977m (3,205ft) summit plateau of Scafell Pike yesterday evening about 6.50pm.

Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team was called out and a 5½-hour operation was mounted involving 15 volunteer members.

The walkers were found near the northern edge of the summit plateau and warmed up before being escorted down the mountain to Wasdale Head. The rescue ended shortly after midnight.

A team spokesperson said: “There is still quite a lot of snow high up on Scafell Pike obscuring the main path, making route finding tricky.”