NINE members of the Cleveland Search and Rescue Team who have carried out more than 600 rescues have notched up 25 years of service.

The volunteer rescuers have been called out in all weathers and around the clock to look for anyone from missing children to lost and injured walkers and rock climbers.

Members Dave Bywater, Alan Withers, Steve Glasper, Pete Mounsey, Gari Finch, Pete Garrod, Dave Cook, David Little and Bryan Snowden were presented with certificates from the Mountain Rescue Council to mark their milestone.

Eight attended a presentation and were handed their certificates by Lord Crathorne, Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, who also presented 33 members of the team with the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal, for facing hazardous conditions to help others.

Lord Crathorne said: "At last the work that mountain rescue teams do has been recognised and the unsung heroes of the community are having their praises sung.''

First aid trainer and team member Brian Wright was made an honorary vice president of the team. Police liaison officers Hugh Bernard and Malcolm Grey, fundraisers Ashley Tizard and Tessa Snowden and mother and son Sandy and Sam Finch, who have supported the team, were all made honorary members.