'Dismay' as mountain rescue donations stolen

Penrith Mountain Rescue Team discovered the theft after spending 12 hours on call outs

A mountain rescue team was "dismayed" to find donations had been stolen from its collection box at a beauty spot.

Penrith Mountain Rescue Team said it made the discovery at Mardale Head, in the Lake District, on Sunday, after spending 12 hours on call-outs the previous day.

A spokesman for the team said the box, which was set in a stone wall, had also been vandalised.

"The team is entirely voluntary and we rely on donations and the generosity of the public to keep ourselves operational," a spokesman said.

Cumbria Police said they had been made aware of the theft, which was believed to have happened between 1 and 6 July.

Anyone with information should contact the force.