A mountain rescue team was called out to help trace a missing runner.

The incident happened on Sunday (26 November) at around 3.40pm when, members of Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue team (RPMRT) helped to find a missing runner who had not returned at the end of an event near Bacup.

The team at RPMRT posted: "As things were coming to a close on a fairly uneventful day providing first aid cover at Lee Mill Fell Relay, it became apparent that one of the last runners had gone astray and not returned.

"The marshals and event organiser were able to confirm when they had last been seen, and at what time, headed in which direction and so on.

"Whilst some of the race team and other runners headed out in this direction to do what we as a team would call a 'hasty search', one of our team members at the event contacted our duty leader, who subsequently deployed other team members who were available to head to the location to assist.

"Team members and runners from the event headed back towards the expected area and confirmed they could hear a whistle. They were deployed onto the hill towards the location and as further groups of team members were being deployed, it was confirmed team members had located the runner who was sheltering from weather but otherwise safe and well."

Rescuers walked back with the runner to Lee Mill Quarry and later reunited with a waiting family member.

Rescue teams added: "We hope this doesn’t put this runner (or any others) off from this or other future events, and want to mention how useful it was to have their whistle in this situation.

"Double check, make sure you have the basic safety equipment with you too, no matter what your plans are when you go out onto the fells."