Nine rescued from cave system

The cavers were well-equipped and the alarm was raised quickly

Snow ploughs were used to help rescue nine people from a cave system.

Cumbria Police were called just before midnight on Saturday to County Pot, a popular entrance to the Ease Gill system, near Kirkby Lonsdale, because a caving group was overdue.

Snow drifts blocked the way for volunteer rescuers to get their vehicles near the cave entrance so a council highways team was called to clear the route.

The Cave Rescue Organisation (CRO) led the operation with support from mountain rescue teams and the cavers were found cold and tired but able to make their own way out of the caves.

The CRO said the group was well-equipped and had an effective call-out system which meant the alarm was raised promptly.

Volunteers from Swaledale and Upper Wharfedale mountain rescue teams were also called because of the large number of people stuck underground.

Once the group was out of the caves they were assessed and were given hot food and drinks at a nearby farm.