A RESCUE team that covers part of the North-East is looking for recruits.

Teesdale and Weardale Search and Rescue Team, based in Barnard Castle, covers County Durham and parts of the North Pennines, including Cross Fell, the highest point in the Pennines. All the team members are volunteers and attend an average of 30 callouts a year.

Team spokesman Steve Owers said: "The people we are looking for are keen walkers or climbers, who are reasonably fit and have basic hill skills, such as being able to read a map and take bearings.

"We will give training in mountain rescue skills and casualty care during a one-year probationary period.

"Also, because we are a charity and have to raise all of the funds needed to run the team ourselves, we would expect new members to take part in fundraising events such as street collections and sponsored events."

Anyone interested in joining is asked to call the rescue centre on (01833) 630999 before January 30 and leave a name and number.