The four were trapped underground in Kingsdale

A group of cavers was rescued in a 10-hour operation after they got trapped underground by rising water.

The Cave Rescue Organisation was called out shortly before 4am today after two men and a woman were reported overdue after venturing into a Yorkshire Dales system.

The men, aged 18 and 20, made the trip into King Pot in Kingsdale, with a 19-year-old woman.

The Clapham-based rescue team made its way to the pothole near Braida Garth, on the western edge of the national park.

A team spokesperson said: “While CRO was en route, a further member of their club descended the cave with survival equipment in an attempt to locate them.

“The first CRO team eventually located all four sheltering at the foot of Elizabeth Pitch, three hours into the cave, having become trapped by rising water following heavy rain.

“Additional team members were deployed underground and all four were assisted to the surface, with all clear of the cave and off the hill by 2.10pm.”

The rescue was the 61st of the year for the CRO, which responds to incidents both on the fells and in the caves of the Yorkshire Dales and surrounding areas.