MOUNTAIN rescue teams from across East Lancashire saved a man from hypothermia after more than three hours scouring the moors.

Teams from Rossendale and Pendle, Bowland Pennine, and Bolton searched the West Pennine Moors in blustery conditions on Saturday night.

A combined team of 30 rescuers were called in after police found an abandoned car on moorland at Hordern Stoops, on the road between Rivington and Belmont at 11pm.

The search began along footpaths and moorland tracks between Winter Hill, Great Hill, White Coppice, Belmont and Yarrow Reservoir.

Two rescuers from Rossendale and Pennine mountain rescue team eventually found the man collapsed against a dry stone wall near the Great Hill, suffering from hypothermia at 2.30am yesterday.

By the time he was found on Spitler’s Edge path between Hordern Stoops and Great Hill, he had been missing for several hours.

Steve Fletcher from the Bolton team said: “It was a blustery night and the conditions had got to him. He was suffering from hypothermia but was able to walk.

“He was assisted by Bolton and Rossendale team members back to the rendezvous point at Hordern Stoops. The teams all worked really well together.”

The man, from Horwich, was taken to Royal Bolton Hospital by ambulance.

Rescuers were praised by senior police officers.

They received a note from Greater Manchester Police Superintendent Karan Lee who said in her message: “There is no doubt in my mind that your efforts saved this man’s life. On behalf of myself and GMP, could you please pass on my thanks and appreciation of your team’s professionalism.”

East Lancashire Chief Superintendent Bob Eastwood also praised rescuers.

He said: “Great work from mountain rescuers on Saturday night helping us to locate a missing person. He is now at a hospital being cared for. They showed life-saving team work.”