Visitors will be able to learn about the work of the area's search dogs and handlers

Lake District visitors will be able to see the work of the area’s volunteer search dog handlers during an open day at a mountain pass.

The Lake District Mountain Rescue Search Dogs Association will hold its annual open day on Sunday 30 July.

The event will take place between 11am and 3pm at the top car park, opposite the inn, on Kirkstone Pass, between Ambleside and Patterdale.

A spokesperson for the organisation said: “We are hoping to continue on from our successful open day last year so please come along and help us make it a great day for all the family.

“We are a specialist team dedicated to the training, developing and deployment of search dogs within the Lake District mountains and fells to search for missing people.

“All our Lake District Mountain Rescue Search Dog handlers are operational members of mountain rescue teams within the Lake District and give up their free time to go out and help lost and injured people.

“So please come along and show your support to this dedicated team of people and dogs. Bring your family and friends to this beautiful mountain pass in the heart of the Lake District national park and world heritage site. We will tell you all about how we train and work with these wonderful search dogs.

“You’ll meet the search dogs and their handlers and learn all about how the dogs to learn to search for missing people out on the mountains through play.”

Visitors to the open day will also be able to meet the volunteer ‘dogsbodies’, the hardy folk who head out onto the fells to hide during training sessions as live ‘casualties’ for the animals to find.

Also in attendance will be representatives from Clever Dogs dog training. “If you have questions about dog training then Jen, who helps to train our puppies, is on hand to help answer your questions,” the spokesperson said . “We also have Cumbria Laser Art by Christyne, one of our handlers and assessors, for your dog related artwork.

“We are an entirely voluntary organisation and rely solely on the generosity of public donations so please come along and show your support for this great charity.”