DISTRICT nurses reached a seriously ill patient thanks to the efforts of Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team and an intrepid snowplough driver.

Volunteers helped Catherine Ronald and Julie Smith reach their patient, who was cut off by snow in a remote farmhouse near Bowes, County Durham.

Deputy team leader Steve Owers said: “The farm was about a mile off a minor road.

“Because of the strength of the wind, numerous places along the track became blocked with snow, which we had to dig out to make progress.

“Without the help of the Durham County Council highways snowplough driver, we would not have been able to assist the nurses.”