The Yorkshire Three Peaks involves 24 miles of walking

Two walkers who set off on a 24-mile challenge walk with no food, drink, map or compass were found after getting lost on the route.

Police alerted the Clapham-based Cave Rescue Organisation about 5.20pm on Thursday when organisers of a Yorkshire Three Peaks fundraising walk expressed concern for two inexperienced men taking part in the event.

The 25- and 19-year-old had last been seen on Pen-y-ghent about 10.30am.

A CRO spokesperson said: “Our duty controller quickly established that the two walkers had no waterproofs, food, drink, map or compass with them – just the clothes they started the day in.

“With the team on stand-by and a bit of detective work, the pair were found to have been seen at Ribblehead and in Chapel-le-Dale walking down the road to Ingleton.

“Eventually it was discovered they had retraced their steps and had found the path up on to Ingleborough, where they made a navigational error and ended up in Ingleton rather than Horton in Ribblesdale at around 7.45pm.

“The walkers were checked over, and given some advice. Although extremely sunburnt and tired, they were otherwise none the worse for their adventure.”

The Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge involves summiting Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough in a tough 39km route, in less than 12 hours.