The three were making their way from Providence Pot

More than 40 rescuers were involved in an overnight operation to free two cavers trapped underground in the Yorkshire Dales.

Two teams worked for nine hours to free the men, aged 49 and 52, who were physically stuck in a system on the slopes of Great Whernside in Wharfedale.

Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association was alerted at 9.30pm yesterday, Saturday, after the pair got stuck in Dowbergill Passage while attempting the route from Providence Pot to Dow Cave.

The team requested the help of Clapham-based Cave Rescue Organisation.

The combined teams managed to free both cavers unharmed and they were brought to safety via Dow Cave. A third man, aged 61, who was with the pair, was also escorted out to the surface.

All three were able to walk to the road at Park Rash, between Kettlewell and Coverdale.

The rescue ended at 6.15am today.

Both the Grassington-based Upper Wharfedale team and the CRO are trained in both cave and mountain rescue.