A WALKER survived two nights in sub-zero blizzard conditions after taking shelter in a grouse butt.

Tom Miles was discovered this morning after losing his way on a 14-mile walk from Langdon Beck, in Teesdale to Dufton in Cumbria.

The 32-year-old from London had been staying in the Langdon Beck Hotel and set out on the walk over the fells on Sunday morning.

However his family became worried for his safety when they didn't hear from him on Sunday night and on Monday evening they rang Kirkby Stephen Search and Mountain Rescue Team.

The call triggered an operation involving 55 people from five search and rescue teams, a Sea King helicopter from RAF Boulmer, and the police helicopter.

The search and rescue teams involved were from Swaledale, Northumbria, Cleveland, Teesdale and Cumbria.

The teams searched the man's route, braving heavy snow, which in areas was drifting more than 5ft high.

Gritters were called out to clear roads for the rescue teams and at one stage this morning the RAF helicopter was forced to call off its search because of the weather.

Early this morning Mr Miles, an experienced walker, managed to call from his mobile phone and was picked up by helicopter at about 9am.

He was found 2,200ft up about two miles off his intended route.

When the weather deteriorated, Mr Miles had sheltered in a grouse butt - a walled enclosure for grouse shooters.

Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue team leader David Bartles-Smith, said: "The conditions up there are very, very severe at the moment.

"We would advise everybody to do all the necessary planning and to gain understanding of the route they are doing.

"The man was appropriately equipped. He was clearly caught out in bad conditions.

"The terrain up there is featureless. Navigation is difficult in the best of circumstances."

Mr Miles has now been reunited with his family and was said to be healthy and in good spirits.

Sergeant Rob Potts, from Barnard Castle Police said: "We would like to thank the search and rescue teams for their efforts. They are critical friends that provide us and other agencies with resources and expertise that we arent geared up for."