The two walkers got lost on The Old Man of Coniston. Photo: Mick Garratt CC-BY-SA-2.0

Two rescue teams were involved in a search for lost walkers on the Old Man of Coniston in bad visibility.

The volunteer rescuers ended their operation when police informed them the couple had been helped from the mountain by another walker.

Coniston Mountain Rescue Team was called out about 2.40pm on Monday and was joined by colleagues from the Duddon and Furness team.

The rescuers searched for almost three hours after the couple, who had three dogs with them, reported themselves lost in low cloud after ascending the Old Man.

A Coniston MRT spokesperson said: “Team leaders unsuccessfully attempted to contact the party and, with concern for their welfare growing, team members searched the surrounding area, including Dow Crag, Coniston Old Man, Brim Fell, Swirl How and Wetherlam, until approximately 5.30pm.

“The team was stood down following confirmation from Cumbria police that the couple had been found by another walker who had helped them down to their vehicle.”