TWO fell walkers were found safe yesterday after being reported missing overnight in the north Northumberland countryside.

The alert was raised when a man, in his thirties, and his female partner failed to return to their car after setting off on a walk near the Otterburn military base, on Saturday.

An operation was mounted on Saturday night by the Northumberland National Park search and rescue team.

A rescue helicopter, scrambled at first light yesterday from RAF Boulmer, in Northumberland, found the couple in a mountain rescue hut, about eight miles from where they left their car.

They were said to be in a healthy condition after sheltering overnight in the hut.