Three Dales rescue organisations have joined forces to educate walkers about what to do in the case of an emergency.

The initiative comes as the Cave Rescue Organisation at Clapham, Grassington’s Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association and the Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team, based at Catterick Garrison, deal with a growing number of calls for help.

In 2009, the CRO attended a record 88 incidents – more than one a week – and now the teams have launched a major education campaign.

Chris Booth, UWFRA chairman, said the campaign had been given a great welcome.

“This is just the first phase of the campaign,” he said.

“The next step will be to provide links from each team’s website to additional sites for sources of safety advice or providers of outdoor training.”