THE specialist skills of Cleveland Search and Rescue Team were called on yesterday after a woman fell and injured her leg while out rambling.

The 62-year-old, from Stockton, who has not been named, was with fellow members of Stockton Ramblers when she slipped while walking in the Swainby area, near Stokesley.

An ambulance crew from Thirsk was called and, after initial first aid treatment, the rescue team carried the woman 600 metres to the nearest road on a stretcher.

She was taken to Middlesbrough General Hospital for treatment.

Team spokesman Pete Mounsey said: "The incident was quite straightforward and the type of accident that we train for regularly."

The team aims to raise £3,000 this year to equip its two vehicles with defibrillators for use with heart attacks