TWO women ramblers were rescued by police helicopter after they became lost on Scout Moor near Shuttleworth.

Officers from the air support unit were alerted shortly before 5pm on Saturday 19 when the two women, aged 64 and 61, used a mobile phone to report they were lost.

Earlier, the two friends, from Sale, had set off on a walk from The Fisherman's Retreat restaurant in Bye Road, at 11.30am. They contacted police when they realised they had lost their bearings and when it began to get dark.

Both women were able to identify and describe landmarks in the area, so officers could locate them. The duo were found to the west of Scout Hill, between Edenfield and Rawtenstall.

Captain Gary Sweeting located a safe landing area nearby and PC Tony Baxter and Sergeant Phil Rainford met the women and returned them to the helicopter, which flew them back to safety at 6pm.

PC Baxter said: "Both ladies were equipped for a day out on the moors. They had warm clothing, food and water with them, as well as a silver blanket. They pinned the blanket to the ground to help us locate them and sensibly sheltered next to a dry stone wall.

"They did the right thing by raising the alarm as soon as they realised they were lost and night was drawing in. I'm glad we were able to locate them swiftly and return them home safely."