A MOUNTAIN rescue team from Huddersfield has been involved in a high-profile rescue of thousands of youngsters taking part in a moorland challenge.

Almost 2,500 young people from across Britain were taking part in the Ten Tors Challenge which had to abandoned on Dartmoor in Devon when the weather deteriorated yesterday.

The event, which includes an overnight camp on the bleak moor, is organised by the Army. Eight members from Woodhead Mountain Rescue Team had travelled down on Friday to help.

One of the members, Duncan Sission of Penistone, used to be a member of the Dartmoor rescue group before moving north and joining Woodhead Mountain rescue Team.

The Huddersfield team has travelled down for the last six years with equipment, radios and a vehicle.

There were 400 teams of six teenagers on the moor tackling hikes of 35, 45 or 55 miles over Saturday and Sunday.

But with the moor rain-lashed all Saturday, the organisers decided to end it early at 9.30pm on Saturday night and were led from the moor or flown to safety by helicopters.

Woodhead Mountain Rescue Team helped the youngsters to get into the warm and dry.