THE Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team (TWSMRT) have had their first call-out of the year.

The team received a call at 8.21pm on Thursday night to search for a missing man from the east Durham area who had a medical issue.

A total of 18 team members, two search dogs and the team's three vehicles were deployed. The team were stood down just after 2am when the man was found safe and well eight miles east of the search area.

A TWSMRT spokesman said: "Thanks to Swaledale, Cleveland, North of Tyne, Northumbria National Park and RAF Leeming Mountain rescue teams who were on standby to assist should the search have continued this morning. We'd also like to thank The Blacksmith Arms and the Hallgarth Hotel for their support when normal people were in bed."