ROSSENDALE and Pennine Mountain Rescue Team is appealing for volunteers to help complete vital missions this year.

In 2007 the team, which is called out through the 999 service, attended 50 emergencies, including calls to four injured children, nine fatalities and a dog stuck up a cliff.

The jobs were equally split between searches for missing people all over East Lancashire and North East Manchester, as well asassisting the North West Ambulance Service where access to a casualty was difficult.

But the team is finding it increasingly difficult to attract volunteers due to people's work and family commitments.

Team Leader Andy Simpson said: "I've known busier years for the team.

"But the speed we're called to incidents these days has slightly changed.

"The statutory authorities call us much earlier, resulting in a better outcome for casualties or missing persons."

This year the team is planning a new intake of trainees and applications are invited from volunteers with an interest in the outdoors.

Training will include advanced first aid and casualty care, radio procedures, rope skills, search, working with helicopters, navigation and off-road driving.

Interested applicants should be competent walkers or mountaineers with some knowledge of first aid and hill navigation.

For an application form call Gary Dickson on 07903 583989.