Mountain Rescue's Land Rover reward

Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team (SMRT) has bought the two new vehicles following five years' intensive fundraising.

Bosses said it is a huge boon to their ability to deliver its free search and rescue service to Swaledale and Wensleydale.

The two new Land Rovers have been specially kitted out to meet the demanding standards of Mountain Rescue teams across the UK and cost a total of 95,000.

Rescue leader Roger Swainston initiated and led the successful campaign but was keen to stress that the fundraising success was a real team effort:

"As a result of our members' dedication to the project and the donations received from organisations and individualsour dreams have now become reality."

Much of the money raised came from donations from the public but there were a number of substantial grants from organisations such as the Yorkshire Building Society. Perhaps most significant was a grant of 38,000 from the Yorkshire Dales LEADER Programme.