A WALKER rescued from the top of Whernside at the weekend has described Cave Rescue volunteers as 'angels'

Natalie Hampson was part of a group rescued just before midnight and in high winds at the weekend.

The four walkers found at the summit ridge of the highest of the Yorkshire Three Peaks were part of a group of seven people reported missing by police to Cave Rescue Organisation at 11.10pm on Saturday.

The CRO team was still at its headquarters in Clapham having just finished an earlier call to help two walkers lost in the area of Ingleborough Cave.

A CRO spokesperson said: "With team members still assembled at the depot, North Yorkshire Police notified the team of a group of seven walkers missing on Whernside.

"Inquiries suggested that three of the group had descended into Kingsdale, while the other four were on the summit ridge.

"Two team members in a CRO vehicle located the group of three on the road near Yordas Cave in Kingsdale.

"At the same time, a party of eight team members headed up Whernside on foot from Kingsdale Head in high winds with rain approaching.

"The party located the four missing walkers, cold but uninjured, on the summit ridge and guided them back down to the waiting team vehicles."

Natalie Hampson from Lancashire, later posted on CRO's Facebook page: "Thankyou so much guys. It was very frightening. Without your help we wouldn't have been able able to get down. I will always remember your selflessness. I am now home safe with my family back in Lancashire. Please send my thanks to your team for everything you did for me that evening. You are all angels. Love and appreciation."