Helvellyn's headwall and Red Tarn, with Striding Edge left and Swirral Edge on the right. Photo: Bob Smith/grough

A group who prompted concern on England’s third-highest mountain turned out to be ‘extreme gardeners’ according to rescuers who were called to investigate.

A walker descending from Helvellyn on Thursday noticed two people and a barking dog high on the mountain’s headwall.

The man was making his way from the summit on Thursday and rang 999 when he spotted the pair and dog who, he thought, were in difficulties.

Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team was called out about midday.

A team spokesperson said: “The concerned walker who raised the alarm had been descending Swirral Edge in wet weather, when he saw two persons and a barking dog high up on the Helvellyn headwall.

“The headwall is steep and there are no footpaths and normally only accessible by climbers.

“The walker observed them for about 15 minutes and became increasingly concerned as they weren’t moving and did not respond to him shouting up to get their attention.”

Two Patterdale MRT volunteers walked up to investigate. “While ascending towards Red Tarn they met two men and a yappy dog.

“It turned out they worked for the John Muir Trust and had been on the headwall planting rare arctic-alpine plants. We like a good ending.

“The John Muir Trust do great work looking after the Glenridding Common, re-establishing rare plants and mountain woodland species as well as loads of other conservation work.”

The conservation charity took on management of Glenridding Common, including large parts of Helvellyn, in 2017 through a lease agreement with the Lake District National Park Authority.