Pair stuck in snow for 12 hours

Rescuers spent several hours searching for the trapped pair's car

A couple have been rescued after being trapped in a snowy ditch in Cornwall for 12 hours.

Helicopters and search teams had scoured the area between Camelford and Boscastle searching for the pair, whose car had gone into a ditch.

They had called police at about 0600 GMT to report they were trapped but they were unsure where they were.

The pair, from Camelford, were rescued after they contacted a nearby farmer who directed rescue services to them.

Cornwall Search and Rescue team and a helicopter from RNAS Culdrose had spent the past few hours scouring the snow covered area.

Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed the couple, aged 18 and 31, were both well.

'Difficult rescue'

Jim Gallienne, from Cornwall Search and Rescue team, said: "It was a difficult rescue involving a number of emergency services.

"Even though we had mobile phone contact with them, we couldn't pinpoint their location.

"When we did eventually reach them, we gave them a medical check, found they were suffering from mild hypothermia and passed them onto the ambulance service.

"This was the fifth weather-related call out for us in the last three days and we would urge motorists who desperately need to travel anywhere during wintry conditions to think about making some preparations.

"It's a good idea to pack a warm drink, clothing and a torch and to make sure mobile phones are well charged before setting out - not only for making calls but we can sometimes locate members of the public in remote areas if they flash their torches or mobile phones."