THE importance of being adequately equipped while out hiking has been highlighted after two walkers got into difficulty on the shore of Ullswater yesterday (Friday) evening.

Patterdale mountain rescuers were called out to help the two walkers after they were caught out in the dark without a torch.

A team spokesman said: "Two people had set out at 5pm to go for a walk from Patterdale Youth Hostel to Howtown.

"Three and a half hours later later they were overtaken by darkness on the lake shore path and with no torch were unable to proceed.

"The rescue team responded, deduced their location and went to pick them up before returning them to the youth hostel."