The avalanche happened on Ben Nevis's North Face

Five people escaped serious injury in an avalanche on Britain’s highest mountain.

A cornice collapse on the North Face of Ben Nevis resulted in the avalanche in Number Four Gully.

Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team was called out today and two Sea King search and rescue helicopters from HMS Gannet in Ayrshire and RAF Lossiemouth in Moray flew to the scene.

A rescue team spokesperson said: “Everyone managed to walk out with only one very minor injury.”

Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team and the Nevis Range ski patrol were put on readiness under new avalanche arrangements, but were not needed.

The callout was the Lochaber team’s first of 2015.