The injured mountain biker is stretchered to the air ambulance by rescuers. Photo: Bowland Pennine MRT

Two mountain bikers were rescued after they injured themselves in separate incidents at a popular Lancashire venue.

A 41-year-old rider suffered injuries when he came off his machine on Saturday in Gisburn Forest.

Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Team and Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team members went to the aid of the biker, who fell at the difficult skills section of the course. The two teams were training at the area at the time.

Kevin Camplin, team leader of Bowland Pennine MRT, said: “Both rescue teams along with the North West Air Ambulance from Blackpool treated the casualty who had sustained head and shoulder injuries before he was stretched to the helicopter for onward transportation to Royal Preston Hospital.”

Earlier in the day, Bowland Pennine team members treated a 54-year-old man who came off his machine on the figure-of-eight loop, damaging his shoulder. After dealing with the injuries at the scene, team members advised the rider to go to hospital.

The two incidents involved 20 volunteers from the two teams.

Mr Camplin said: “We wish both injured mountain bikers a speedy recovery and wish them the very best for the future.”