A mountain rescue team was called out to help an ambulance trying to get through snow to Alston.

On the way they found a car that had come off the road, despite a road closure.

They later tackled blizzard conditions to rescue two walkers who had become lost.

Volunteers from Penrith Mountain Rescue Team dealt with a total of four incidents yesterday.

It happened as heavy snow blocked the A686 at Hartside Pass, leaving it impassable.

Police closed the road, but several motorists still got stuck.

The team were first called out to help an ambulance get up Hartside to Alston.

Posting on facebook, a spokesman said: "The team was called to assist with an ambulance trying to get to Alston.

"On the way, we dealt with a car that had come off the road descending in the snow from Hartside.

"Once the ambulance was safely at Alston, the team deployed to Hartside pass.

"Despite several road closures in place, the team dealt with many motorists becoming stuck in the snow as they tried to negotiate the snowy conditions on the pass.

"The final incident involved two male walkers lost on Cross Fell, both of which were very cold and wet.

"Luckily they managed to stumble across a bothy called Greg's Hut, just north of Cross Fell. Ten team members were then deployed to walk up to the Hut in blizzard conditions, to aid them. The two casualties were given warm clothing, warm drinks and food and then escorted off the fell through the blizzard."

The team are urging anyone heading out in snowy conditions to plan accordingly and avoid roads which are closed.