VOLUNTEERS from mountain rescue teams were called to aid motorists who had ignored road closure signs on a snowbound trans-Pennine route.

After being turned back at snow gates on the A66, some drivers chanced their luck on the B6276 from Middleton-in-Teesdale to Brough, only to find conditions were just as bad – if not worse.

Mountain rescue teams from Teesdale and Weardale and Kirkby Stephen and a police helicopter were called out at the weekend to lead motorists to safety.

Teesdale team leader Pete Bell said: “It appears that because the A66 was closed, a number of drivers tried to find an alternative route along this road.

“However this is a minor road and at a higher elevation, so inevitably it is often impassable. The drivers also ignored road closed signs.”

North Yorkshire mountaineer Alan Hinkes was among those working with the rescue team.

He said: “You can get a fair way along this road from Middleton-in-Teesdale to Brough, then suddenly, above a certain height, it can be 5ft snow drifts.

“Some had nothing in their car – not even a shovel. Because they have some kind of 4x4 they think they can blast through anything when even an 18 inch snow drift can stop a 4x4.”

Mr Bell also thanked the Durham County Council snowplough drivers who helped.

In the Yorkshire Dales, highway chiefs hoped to have the popular Buttertubs Pass open this afternoon (Monday, March 25) after it was closed by drifting snow over the weekend.

The route was due to be cleared on Sunday but was delayed by a broken snow blower.

Upper Dales county councillor John Blackie said: “The road is a lifeline. The doctors from Hawes and the ambulance from Bainbridge if faced with an emergency in Upper Swaledale, would have to travel via Leyburn to reach a patient - a 40 mile detour.”

Guests and staff at Britain’s highest pub, the Tan Hill Inn, near Reeth, were hoping to leave the inn tonight, after deep snow drifts left them stranded there for five days.