THREE lost walkers called 999 after getting lost trying to hike up Helvellyn.

The incident happened on Saturday.

Keswick, and Patterdale, Mountain Rescue Teams were called out at 1.07pm.

A spokesman said: "The party of three inexperienced walkers were intending to ascend Helvellyn on the usual path from Wythburn, Thirlmere.

"However, soon after leaving the car park they lost the main track but continued upwards for several hours into the mist.

"They eventually called 999 after one of their party was said to have fainted.

"On arriving the Keswick team met a fourth member of the walking party who'd returned down the hill, and just happened to be on the phone with the group.

"During the call their latitude/longitude grid reference using Google maps was confirmed as half way up the deep and trackless Birkside Gill - they were quickly located.

"They were uninjured and able to walk down to the road."