A missing man in his 80s was found after a big search in Meltham.

The elderly man was found by volunteers from the Holme Valley Mountain Rescue Team, who were called out by police on Sunday evening.

The man had been missing for several hours but was found safe and well.

It was one of two incidents dealt with by the rescue team at the weekend, as they had saved an injured walker on Saturday.

Owen Phillips, assistant leader of the Holme Valley team, said: “The missing man was in his 80s and had been missing for some time when we were called out to help.

“A police search involving the West Yorkshire helicopter had already been under way but as the light faded we were called in to assist with the search.

“Conditions were not too bad, as it was mild and clear, and shortly after mobilising, members of the team began searching woodland behind Meltham Mills, where they located the missing man safe and well.

“He was led back to the road from where the police could reunite him with his family.

“This was a great result – a really quick find from the first party we sent out.

“We frequently get asked to search areas such as this – woodland can present difficulties for the police helicopters, whereas we can get enough people on the ground to conduct a thorough search.

“In this case, the gentleman was located almost straight away, and we were able to reunite him with his family.”

On the previous day, the volunteers were called to an incident in Royd Edge Clough, Meltham.

Shortly after 10am, Yorkshire Ambulance Service requested the assistance of the team due to the casualty being in a difficult-to-access situation.

The man had been walking in Royd Edge Clough when he slipped on thick mud and suffered a suspected leg fracture.

Ambulance crews were called to the scene, where they treated the man and administered analgesia but the muddy banking presented them with difficulties in getting the casualty to their ambulance.

The man was loaded on to a mountain rescue stretcher and carried a short distance by members of HVMRT before being taken to hospital for assessment.

The Holme Valley Mountain Rescue Team is currently undertaking a massive fundraising drive to secure a new headquarters following the closure of Marsden Fire Station.

The team currently occupies two bays of the fire station building, but its rental agreement came under threat after is was announced the station was to close.

The team has reached an agreement to purchase the building from the Fire Service, but needs to raise £50,000 over the next two years in order to complete the sale.

A benefit concert featuring folk-rockers Oysterband will be taking place on November 29 at Holmfirth Picturedrome.

Tickets are priced at £15 and are available from www.picturedrome.net . All proceeds will go to the HVMRT’s new headquarters fund.