Local mountain rescuers want to remind people in distress to dial 999 for their help so that the police can direct the call to a mountain rescue team.

Their plea comes after a call out for three lost walkers north of Abergavenny on Friday night.

A concerned family member used Google to contact a mountain rescue team direct.

Unfortunately they called a team covering a different part of South Wales and valuable time was lost re-routing the call for help to Abergavenny’s Longtown Mountain Rescue Team.

However the team was swiftly mobilised and although the women were tired and cold they were found otherwise unharmed.

Luke Lewis, team leader of Longtown MRT said, “All that is important is that the three women were found safely.

“However we would like to remind people that if they need our services to call 999. It ensures that the closest team answers the call and in an emergency that could make the difference between life and death.”

Friday night’s rescue was the third call out over the festive period for the team, which is comprised of highly trained volunteers.

The team would like to take this opportunity to thank the proprietor of the Old Pandy Inn, at Pandy, for his kindness in providing hot food and drinks to aid in the recovery of the three walkers.