A GROUP of volunteers which rescues people affected by accidents or natural hazards in a national park has launched a bid for a grant to expand its base.

Scarborough and Ryedale Mountain Rescue Team, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, said it has outgrown its rescue base in Snainton, on the edge of the North York Moors, from where its 40 members respond to an average of 60 call-outs annually, providing increasingly complex rescue techniques and solutions.

Team leaders said it had decided to expand into otherwise unusable land to the rear of the existing property, to minimise impact on the environment while maintaining its contact with the village.

In addition to garaging the team's vehicles, the extension will enable the group to house a 4×4 ambulance, water rescue equipment and boats, extend its training room and create a drying room for the range of equipment which get wet and dirty during call-outs.

A team spokesman said it would undertake fundraising for the new vehicle and water equipment and had submitted an application to the Jewson Building Better Communities appeal to win a share of £100,000 towards the cost of the extension works.

To vote for the team's bid, visit buildingbettercommunities.co.uk