Tomorrow's mountain rescuers show what they're made of

Potential mountain rescuers put through their paces during the annual Mountain Rescue Foundation Course

Last weekend  saw potential mountain rescuers from all over Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Yorkshire, and lowland rescuers from Cheshire and Norfolk, put through their paces during the annual Mountain Rescue Foundation Course.

Hosted by Bolton Mountain Rescue Team (MRT), the course was held at Bibby's Farm Scout Camp, in the West Pennine Moors and 42 men and women, including ten from Rossendale & Pendle Mountain Rescue Team, learned stretcher handling techniques, steep ground evacuation and rope rescue.

In addition there were lectures and displays by Greater Manchester Police, North West Ambulance Service, Greater Manchester Fire Service, Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service and appearances by the Lancashire Police and Air Ambulance helicopters.

Team Leader, Pete Goble, said: "Our trainees have been with us for about six months now and it was great to see them putting what they've learned in that time to practical use.

“The whole weekend was not just informative but allowed the trainees to learn about 'hands on' mountain rescue and meet colleagues from other teams and the emergency services who, no doubt, they will be working with in the future in real rescue situations."