mountain rescue volunteers were called out eight times in just 22 days over the Easter period in an area ranging from Middlesbrough to Goathland.

In the latest incident, on Sunday, Cleveland area team members were helping police look for a 74-year-old Alzheimer's sufferer who had not been seen since leaving his Norton home at 10am that day.

A total of 26 volunteers searched open spaces to the north-west of Stockton for five hours without success.

The team has been on 13 call-outs this year, covering the full spectrum of incidents.

Spokesman Pete Mounsey said: "We have done various searches in lowlands and the moor tops looking for missing children, confused walkers, dementia sufferers and for the sources of mysterious flares."

Members have been involved in rescuing three injured people from the moors.

In the meantime, Cleveland Search and Rescue held its first major fundraising walk of the year and is liaising with two pubs that are planning sponsored walks.

Regulars at the Allandale, in Skelton, and the Frigate, at Marske-by-Sea, will be walking from Whitby to their pubs on the May Day holiday.

"Normally in a year we get between 20 and 30 incidents," said Mr Mounsey.

"This year looks like it could be a record. There is no pattern to the call-outs. They have all been so different showing the level of training and versatility needed."

The team has about 50 members on call 24 hours a day. Volunteers are unpaid and the service has to raise its £14,000 running costs itself.