The mountain rescue team has been called out nine times in the first eight days of 2021, with the latest incident occurring on Friday evening.

The volunteer team from Rossendale and Pendle were called by the ambulance service at around 5pm after a person became stuck on the hills in Briercliffe and was complaining of chest pains.

Crews from the ambulance service were unable to reach the person due to snow and weather conditions blocking the access track to their farm.

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A team was deployed in a 4x4 vehicle, but luckily one of the paramedics had been able to reach the casualty on foot and had already begun an assessment.

A spokesperson for RPMRT said: "This evening at around 5pm the team were contacted by the North West Ambulance Service to assist once again due to the current weather conditions.

"NWAS crews were unable to access the casualty, who was suffering from severe chest pains, due to the accumulation of snow along the access track to their home/farm over the tops in Briercliffe.

"A standby message was issued to team members who were on-call, and a small team were immediately deployed in a 4x4 vehicle.

"As the team arrived on scene they met a paramedic who had been able to make their way to the casualty on foot and start an assessment.

"Between them, they were able to assist the casualty to the vehicle and transport them safely down the awaiting ambulance without needing further assistance from the rest of the team."

Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue Team: Crews deployed to five separate incidents over Saturday

RPMRT were called out five times on January 2, twice on January 3 and once on January 5, and leaders say the increase in calls at a time when they cannot fundraise is putting stress on the organisation.

The spokesperson added: "Covid -19 has hit the team funds so hard.

"We accept the Christmas period and the presence of snow is an exciting event but we do urge people to still be sensible when out and about, dress to the conditions and obey the rules set out by government to keep everyone safe.

"As Mountain Rescue we rely heavily on the public’s generosity for equipment and training to maintain the 24/7, 365 days a year emergency service that we have since 1963.

"The team are trained to safely respond to callouts during the pandemic but this recent increase in callouts at a time when the team can’t fundraise as we used to is putting stress on the organisation.

"As stated, we’ll always respond but we need your support through this.

"You may not have directly required our services but as a specialist trained team you never know when we might be needed, you can help us by donating to show your support."

RPMRT are a charity wholly supported by the public, enabling them to provide a 24/7 emergency service 365 days a year.

Text: 'RPMRT' to 70085 to donate £3.

Or donate via Just Giving via justgiving.com/RPMRT or via Donr at donr.com/rpmrt (includes monthly donation options).