A NORTH-EAST search and rescue unit was out in force at the weekend to raise vital funds for its life saving services.

On Saturday, 176 suppoprters of the Cleveland Search and Rescue Team took to the Cleveland Hills for its annual survival fundraising event.

Nearly everyone completed the arduous 23-mile circular route centred on the village of Hutton Le Hole, near Helmsley.

Some entrants even chose to run the course but most took the time to enjoy the surrounding countryside on the moors.

Middlesbrough's Bob Mitchell was the fastest runner, completing the task in 4hrs 11mins, with Richard Marsay following home four minutes later.

Organisers hope to have raised £1,000 from the event, which goes towards the annual £16,000 cost of maintaining the voluntary mountain rescue team.

Last year, the team were called out 32 times and used their specialist skills to tackle a wide range of incidents.