The comments, from Keswick Mountain Rescue Team, follow the search for a couple who were on treacherous Scafell Pike without torches or warm clothing.

More than 50 volunteers spent much of Sunday night searching for the pair, who were found safe and well.

Rescuers said the incident highlighted the need for fell walkers to be vigilant during the winter months.

Team leader Mark Hodgson said: "Yet again ill-equipped walkers on the fells caused a search to be mounted to find them on Sunday night."

Failing battery

He said the couple, from Lincolnshire, had left Seathwaite, Borrowdale, to ascend Scafell Pike and left the summit at 1600 GMT.

There was just one hour of daylight left, they had no torches and insufficient spare clothing and equipment, he said.

Mr Hodgson also said contacting the missing pair was "severely hindered" due to a failing battery in their mobile phone.

The search involved 10 members of the Keswick team, 21 members of Wasdale, 24 members of Cockermouth as well as seven search dogs and handlers.

The couple were finally located close to the summit of Greta End, on an area known as The Band.

It appears likely the pair went off-route in the failing light as a result of not having torches with them.

Mr Hodgson added: "There was a significant risk that the two walkers could have become hypothermic. "Taking torches would have been a much better option than their mobile phone."