The Helvellyn headwall, on to which the two walkers had strayed

Two walkers had to be rescued after straying on to steep ground on England’s third highest mountain.

The pair, from Leeds, were lowered from the headwall of Helvellyn after becoming cragfast today.

Eleven members of the Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team went to the aid of the duo after they rang police about 3.15pm this afternoon.

A spokesperson for the team said: “Members of the team searched the higher reaches of the Red Tarn basin and Striding Edge, in poor, windy weather.

“[The walkers] were located in cloud on steep ground and lowered down the headwall by ropes to easier ground and the tarn, where they were assisted off the fell and back to the rescue centre.”