The group got stuck while climbing on Dow Crag. Photo: Michael Graham CC-BY-SA-2.0

Four people were rescued in an operation lasting more than seven hours after they got stuck on a Lake District fell.

Coniston Mountain Rescue Team was called out about 5.15pm on Friday after the four became cragfast while climbing on Dow Crag.

Rescuers said the weather had deteriorated and night was beginning to fall.

A Coniston MRT spokesperson said: “Team members abseiled down to the party who were around two-thirds of the way up C Ordinary route, from where they were roped up to the top of the climb and then lowered down the descent route to the base of the crag uninjured.

“Conditions on the crag were poor making for a lengthy incident, which lasted in excess of seven hours.

“Coniston MRT would like to remind people of the need to check weather forecasts and plan activities with levels of experience, equipment and day length in mind.”