A FULL scale search and rescue operation was launched on Sunday night after an elderly woman disappeared while walking her dogs on moorland above Nangreaves.

Mrs Sylvia Rochford, aged 79, was eventually founded sheltering in a barn by a search dog as more than 40 volunteers from Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue Team (MRT), assisted by Bolton MRT, scoured the fells and field systems in the Mount Pleasant area.

Mrs Rochford, who lives in Mount Pleasant, was cold but unharmed and transferred to Fairfield General Hospital for treatment for mild hypothermia.

The alarm was raised at 5pm on Sunday by Mrs Rochford's care worker when she failed to return to home from a walk. Police initially carried out a search of the immediate area but were forced to call in the mountain rescue teams to assist with the search as the temperature plummeted.

Andy Simpson, from Rossendale and Pendle MRT, said: "In light of the woman's age and the freezing temperatures, we mobilised our own team members and called for assistance.

"In total we had 42 volunteers searching the vast expanse of moorland around Mrs Rochford's home.

It is believed Mrs Rochford was in hospital overnight under observation and has since made a full recovery.