Three women found in barn after night search near High Force

The women, all in their mid-50s, travelled to Middleton-in-Teesdale, County Durham, yesterday morning to walk a route which took in High and Low Force.

Having arrived in the area at about 10am, the women, who were described as keen walkers, had been expected to return at about 5.30pm.

But the alarm was raised when they did not do so.

Durham police issued an appeal to people who were in the area yesterday and a search operation, including police officers and volunteers from Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team, went out to look for them.

In the early hours of this morning, Durham Police confirmed that the three women had been located in a barn where they had taken shelter after one of the party suffered an ankle injury.

A spokesperson for Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team said: "Team members and search dogs searched through the night along the hikers planned route, in driving rain and wind.

"The ladies managed to take shelter in a barn overnight due to one of the hikers injuring her ankle.

"Thankfully as a search group were finishing their sector, the missing hikers were located.

"A big thanks to all our team members and from Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team, Cleveland Mountain Rescue Team, Royal Air Force Mountain Rescue Service and Mountain Rescue Search Dogs England who were in the process of deploying to assist with the search."

A police spokesperson added: "The three missing walkers have been located safe and well after an all night search by officers, and volunteers from Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team.

"Thankyou to everyone who shared our appeal."