A couple who sparked a massive mountain rescue search near Skipton, had been staying with friends overnight.

The couple, from Bingley, returned to their car, parked in Cray in upper Wharfedale, unaware mountain rescue teams and a helicopter had been combing the fells for several hours.

The hunt was sparked when the landlord of the White Lion reported the couple missing at 9pm last night after they failed to return to their car nine hours after leaving it in a lay-by.

A North Yorkshire police spokesman said the couple walked into Cray at about 11.15am unaware of the hunt.

"They walked in the opposite direction we thought they went in and stayed with friends in West Burton. They are safe and well."

Joanne Hardy, the landlord's daughter, said: "When they came back their car was under about a foot of snow. They had to clear it off before they left. They were fine."

Two RAF teams and volunteers from the Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Organisation, in Grassington, took part in the search along with a helicopter focusing on the Cray and Yockenthwaite area of upper Wharfedale, about 20 miles from Skipton.

Inspector Alison Lesley said since leaving their car parked in the lay-by opposite the White Lion in Cray at about 12 noon yesterday, the couple and their dog had not been seen. The landlady of the White Lion pub in Cray alerted police after the couple, and their dog, failed to return in the evening.