The search for two experienced Bradford climbers missing on Britain's highest mountain has been suspended due to a coastguard helicopter being called away to look for climbers caught in an avalanche about 30 miles away.

The helicopter was called away this afternoon after a spell looking for Rachel Slater, 24, and Tim Newton, 27, on Ben Nevis in the Scottish Highlands.

The search was suspended yesterday due to treacherous weather conditions.

Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) planned to resume the search at first light today, but heavy snow, fog and blustery winds forced a review of its plans.

Two members of the rescue team were caught up in an avalanche during the search of Tuesday but survived unscathed.

Leader John Stevenson told the Telegraph & Argus this afternoon the search was to resume imminently.

"It looks like there is a bit of a window in the bad weather, so hopefully we'll be able to get a helicopter involved in the search in what time we have left of today.

"A helicopter will help us search as much of the mountain as possible.

"It is difficult because of the weather conditions. We've seen no sign of them yet.

"We're not sure if we're going to be able to get many people up there for the search, so the helicopter is the best hope of finding them at the moment.

"We are having to look at the whole mountain, because we don't have a fixed point to search. No one has been able to tell where they went yet, so we are looking at different descent routes and areas popular with climbers.

"There is a lot of fresh snow, and there are no obvious signs of where they have been. Conditions are difficult to get people onto the mountain to search.

"We have to search pretty much everywhere. The conditions are arctic up there, even though it is quite sunny at the moment.

"We always try to be hopeful but time is against us."

The alarm was raised on Monday afternoon for the two climbers, and searches by Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team began that evening.

The pair's tent has been found by the Charles Inglis Clark (CIC) Memorial Hut on the mountain.

An appeal was made by Chris Denham, pastor at Hope City Church in Leeds, where Mr Newton's brother is assistant pastor.

He posted a picture of the couple on Instagram with the message: "Please pray today for the safe return of Tim & Rachel (Tim is the brother of our Assistant Pastor, Ed Newton, in Leeds).

"Also pray for the weather to clear which is preventing rescue teams from searching at present and for all the family. Believing for miracles to be taking place on that mountain because God is Able!"

Mr Denham added: "We are all very concerned for Tim and Rachel, especially as every hour passes, but we are confident and hopeful for their safe return. "They are very experienced climbers and people have been known to survive for much longer before - so as a church we've been praying for miracles on the mountain - that God will keep them safe and bring them home soon. "Meanwhile their families have our support in any way we can. We are also incredibly grateful for all the help that the Mountain Rescue, and all the other services involved, are doing to bring Tim and Rachel home."

The Lochaber MRT said yesterday the 36-strong search party, which includes police and mountain rescue teams using search dogs, was facing "very challenging conditions" with 80mph to 90mph winds causing a windchill factor of -20C

"After five hours of searching, it was decided that conditions were too dangerous to continue search which was focused on Coire na Ciste and South Trident Buttress area following a possible sighting of two people fitting their description climbing in this area early Sunday afternoon," a spokesman said.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: "While police inquiries remain ongoing, search efforts have been suspended on Ben Nevis due to treacherous weather conditions."

Miss Slater and Mr Newton appear to both be experienced climbers, with their UK climbing forum pages detailing numerous ascents and a wishlist for the future.

Their tent has been found by the Charles Inglis Clark (CIC) Memorial Hut on the mountain. 

Miss Slater also describes her climbing experiences in a blog, from moving to Canada as a teenager with her family and joining a youth climbing team there, to more recent climbing trips to France and Spain, as well as in the UK.

According to the couple's Facebook pages, they both studied at Manchester University, while Tim is originally from Leicester and Rachel is from Sheffield. Miss Slater works as a minerals and waste consultant at The Mineral Planning Group based in Clayton.

The weather forecast for today, according to Ben Nevis Weather, says there may be "occasional snow or hail showers." Winds will be fairly light, but for several hours will be "blustery" on higher slopes, giving notable wind chill in exposure. There is expected to be heavy cloud cover at the summit.

Prior to the weekend Lochaber MRT posted on Facebook about the extremely challenging snow conditions on Ben Nevis.

Advice from the Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) provides a winter check list containing important information for hill walkers and mountaineers.

It advises that preparation is crucial including checking the weather forecast and to make sure that your route is realistic in the prevailing weather conditions.

It also asks if you have told someone where you are going and what to do if you fail to return.

The MCofS also advises that to have a fighting chance of navigating effectively on Ben Nevis it is essential to be armed with at least one map and a compass.

It states: "During periods of good visibility the navigation is relatively straightforward but as soon as the mist comes down the plateau can be an extremely confusing and frightening place, especially under conditions of snow and ice."

Anyone who was climbing or walking in the Ben Nevis area over the weekend and saw the couple is urged to contact 101.