AN expedition up a Lakeland peak turned into a challenge for a group of youngsters when they helped save three men.

The six youngsters, from Thirsk, North Yorkshire, were on an expedition on Bowfell, in Langdale, as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award.

Fully-equipped and with rations for four days, they were in mist at about 8pm when they heard shouts for help.

After searching, the group found three middle-aged men, who had been out for a stroll, carrying only boiled sweets and water.

They were wearing inadequate clothing for the conditions, were shivering and had no idea where they were.

Katie McVay, 17, a Thirsk School pupil, said: "The men were getting very cold, so we gave them our survival bags."

The group also lent them one of their emergency mobile phones and, about an hour later, an Ambleside and Langdale Mountain Rescue team arrived.

A rescue team spokesman said: "The young people deserve praise for putting the safety of the three men before their expedition."

Katie, Natalie Hall, Laura Simpson, Donna Fountain, Emma Richardson, all 17, and Darren Tonge, 23, carried on with their expedition following the incident and went on to win their awards.