The Pennine Way and radar station on Great Dun Fell

Rescuers responding to a call for help from a pair of walkers caught out overnight in snow were alarmed to find one of them dressed in a Napoleonic outfit wielding a musket and sword.

Penrith Mountain Rescue Team was called out to help the walkers who had spent the night on Great Dun Fell in the northern Pennines.

The team was alerted at about 9.40am today and enlisted the help of Kirkby Stephen MRT as the Penrith team had been unable to contact the pair by mobile phone after the initial call from the stranded walkers to police.

A Penrith team spokesperson said the duo was walking the Pennine Way for charity. “One was dressed in full Napoleonic dress, complete with musket and sword.

“They had taken refuge overnight in a snow shelter outside the radar station on Great Dun Fell. Conditions on the fell were cold, windy and wet, with snow cover above 600m.

“In the morning, after the two had phoned 999 to ask for help, radar station staff arrived and invited the walkers in to warm up.

“Unfortunately, they lost mobile reception when in the radar station, so when team members arrived on scene they were slightly surprised by the sight that greeted them.

“The pair were able to walk off the hill, via the radar station road.”

The 2½-hour rescue involved 10 Penrith team members.

The Penrith MRT spokesperson warned outdoor enthusiasts tackling the 848m (2,782ft) fell that the radar signals from the air-traffic-control station can affect mobile phone signals adversely.

The spokesperson added: “At this time of year it is particularly important that walkers are suitably prepared for the conditions on the mountains, by consulting appropriate weather forecasts, being properly equipped and ensuring their activities are not beyond their experience level.

“It is also important for the public to understand, that if requesting mountain rescue team assistance, they will be contacted by the responding team on the number they made the emergency call, and should remain in a suitable signal location if this is via mobile phone.”