A TEENAGER who did not know how to use a compass had to be rescued by mountain search teams.

The 17-year-old from Essex called for help after he got lost off the Pennine Way on Bleaklow in the Peak District without a torch.

The Woodhead Mountain Rescue Team’s incident controller was told the teenager did not know how to use his compass and needed help.

So at 7.30pm on Saturday night, 22 members of the team went in search of the stranded teenager.

Mike France from the Team said: “Inexperience and our still snowy northern weather caught out a young man from Essex this Easter holiday when he set off on Saturday morning to start walking the Pennine Way.”

The team was led by its new leader, John Halstead, of Netherton.

Working alongside Glossop Mountain Rescue Team and with the support of the Derbyshire police helicopter, the missing walker was found safe but very tired on the northern edges of Bleaklow.

Mr France added: “It took the rescue teams over an hour to walk him off the hill where an ambulance awaited him.”