GERMAN trainee paramedics who learned skills from Rossendale Search and Rescue Team members said thanks by awarding the team an engraved plate.

Last January, 15 German Trainee Paramedics came to Lancashire for five days to train with the team in Haslingden.

They learned techniques including searching, casualty assessment and treatment on the hill and steep ground casualty evacuation.

As a thank you for the successful visit one of their party, expatriate Natalie Fletcher, returned to Rossendale to present the team with an engraved plate.

Natalie commented: "While not strictly part of our training regime, the techniques we learned with the team could prove invaluable in our work with the German medical services".