Rescuers bring stranded walkers to safety. Photo: Keswick MRT

A publisher best known for its guides to walking and other outdoor activities is supporting mountain rescuers’ drive to reduce the number of callouts.

Cicerone has produced more than 10,000 leaflets detailing safety advice for the 12 teams in the Lake District.

The umbrella organisation for the teams said the leaflets are aimed at saving lives on the Cumbrian fells. They contain information on clothing and other kit necessary when heading for the hills, along with other hints on matters such as route planning, food, weather and mountain hazards.

They also have advice on how to call for help in an emergency.

Richard Warren, chairman of the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association said: “Cicerone, who are a locally based company, provide guidebooks for walkers, mountaineers, trekkers, climbers and cyclists so are ideally placed to work with us in providing this potentially lifesaving information.

“We were relieved to see the numbers of callouts in 2016 drop by around 10 per cent compared to 2015 where we had a worrying 535 callouts. 2016 still received a large number of around 100 999 calls for what we regard as totally avoidable.

“These safety leaflets are primarily targeting those people who perhaps need a little bit of help in preparing themselves for their outings onto the fells, many of whom won’t have been high up on a mountain before.”

Mr Warren said 9,000 copies of the safety leaflet have been distributed this week among the Lake District teams for distribution to tourist outlets with a further 2,000 held back for additional outlets.

He said: “A significant improvement would be to produce water-resistant leaflets due to the potential conditions when these leaflets are taken out of rucksacks. However this would incur an additional cost that would require some external funding support.”

Mr Warren said it costs around £500,000 a year to run the 12 teams which are funded through voluntary donations.