Rescuers search Great Gable during the callout. Photo: Keswick MRT

A major night search involving three rescue teams and a helicopter was mounted when a man and his 12-year-old granddaughter were reported missing in the Lake District.

Keswick Mountain Rescue Team were joined in the operation to find the pair by colleagues from the Cockermouth and Wasdale teams.

The Prestwick Coastguard helicopter also flew to the scene to help the search on Great Gable.

The Keswick team was alerted about 7.15pm on Thursday.

A team spokesperson said: “An experienced 58-year-old fell walker and his 12-year-old granddaughter were dropped off at Seathwaite at the head of the Borrowdale Valley at 8.30am with the intention of climbing Great Gable.

“The man had previously done this route many times and he made an arrangement to rendezvous at Honister at 12.30 with his daughter, the girl’s mother.

“When they didn’t show up the daughter reported them as missing. Keswick sent teams to the main descent paths from Great Gable with two dog teams setting out from Honister and a further two teams covering the routes from Seathwaite.”

The man and girl went missing on a walk up Great Gable. Photo: Bob Smith/grough

Members of the Cockermouth and Wasdale teams also searched their respective sides of the 899m (2,950ft) mountain.

The spokesperson said: “Conditions were not good, with heavy rain showers, strong winds and a summit temperature on Great Gable of only 4C.

“All teams were informed by radio and returned to base when the two persons turned up safe and well in the valley.”

The rescue lasted more than four hours and involved 12 volunteers from Keswick MRT.