A COUPLE spent more than two hours trying to dig themselves out of a snowdrift before being rescued by firefighters.

The incident happened near the village of Egton, North Yorkshire this evening.

According to North Yorkshire fire and rescue a breakdown company had refused to come to the couple's aid.

"Due to extreme weather conditions a husband and wife had driven into a snow drift and were unable to get out," a spokesman said. "The wife had undergone surgery a week before and they had tried to dig themselves out for over two hours. A well-known breakdown company would not attend.

"Fire crews from Goathland and Whitby attended and managed to get the couple and the vehicle to the safety of a local hotel. Usually the Fire Service only attend life risk incidents, but on this occasion an exception was made."

Were you the couple rescued or do you know them? Call the newsdesk on 01325-505065 or email newsdesk@nne.co.uk