The body was found by a member of the public in a gill on Great Gable

A man’s body has been found on the slopes of Great Gable after a major search for a missing walker.

Seven mountain rescue teams joined the 18-hour search for a walker who failed to return to his accommodation.

Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team was called out to try to find the missing walker, but had to search a huge area because the walker had left no intended route.

About 5.35am the team enlisted the help of colleagues from the Keswick team, which put 20 volunteers on the central fells, along with three search dogs.

The search, stretching from Eskdale to Great Gable, also involved teams from Duddon and Furness, Coniston, Kendal, Cockermouth, Penrith and Kirkby Stephen.

Rescuers were joined by a Sea King helicopter from RAF Valley on Anglesey in the operation. About 1pm a member of the public reported seeing a body in a gill.

A Keswick Mountain Rescue Team spokesperson said its search parties then stood down and handed over to the Wasdale team, in whose area the discovery was made.

A Cumbria Constabulary spokesperson said: “His body was found in a waterfall pool south-west of the Great Gable summit.

“Formal identification has not yet taken place and enquiries are ongoing.

“The coroner will be informed.”