The leader of a Scottish mountain rescue team has expressed delight at being made an MBE in the New Year Honours.

Terry Confield, of the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team, added that all those who work to save the lives of people stuck on mountains and hills should receive the accolade.

Mr Confield has been recognised as one of Britain's longest serving mountain rescue experts.

He said: "I'm absolutely over the moon - I'm really chuffed.

Terry Confield: Forty years of service

"I have been in the rescue service for 40 years and I think every member of the rescue service teams should get a medal because it's all voluntary."

The 58-year-old estimated that he has taken part in more than 1,000 operations to Ben Nevis and the surrounding area.

He said that one of his most satisfying rescues was an incident in which two university students became snowbound in the Tower Ridge area of Britain's highest peak about seven years ago.

The female students were minutes from a 600ft drop when the rescue team appeared and took them to safety despite the presence of widespread avalanches.

Mr Confield said: "Four of us took off and solo-ed up this climb and these two girls were there and had dug themselves into a snow hole as they had done on the first night.

"We were absolutely delighted and certain the whole hard job had been worthwhile to find these two girls alive.

"That's what makes it all worthwhile."

Mr Confield added that the call-out rate for the 42-strong team has increased from about 15 rescues a year when he started 40 years ago, to about 80 a year.