Peak training for rescue team

The new building cost £500,000

A mountain rescue team in Cumbria has unveiled one of the most unique training facilities in the country.

The Cockermouth Mountain Rescue team has moved to new headquarters after almost 40 years.

The £500,000 building was opened on Wednesday and will be the regular base of the 38 volunteer team members.

Team chairman, John Dempster, told BBC Look North, the new hi-tech facilities will ensure rescuers are ready for any emergency.

The facilites mean rescuers can train using dummies

New indoor training facilities mean team members can practice techniques using dummies, as well as regular training on the crags.

Mr Dempster said: "What we do, we do not refer to as being risky, but inevitably it is.

"This [training facility] allows us to train in a safe environment.

"We will still go onto the crag for rescues and to train, but this allows us to spend a couple of hours an evening practically preparing for a rescue."

The new headquarters was paid for through fundraising events and a £20,000 donation from the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association.

Mr Dempster added: "It is ideally located, we get easy access to the hills form here.

"There is parking for the members so they don't have to look for parking places when they get here, they can jump straight in.

"It's high-tech in the way they can record their presence on a screen downstairs, get into a vehicle and leave immediately.

"We also have communications from here to the people out on the hills at all times."