TWO incidents on Dartmoor resulted in the North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team based in Okehampton being deployed.

The first one, on Sunday, October 25, was to locate and evacuate a Duke of Edinburgh team of seven 15 to 16-year-olds and one adult who had phoned the police asking for assistance as the light was fading.

The team found them on Amicombe Hill — the DoE team had run out of water and their survival equipment was limited. They were relieved to have been found and taken to safety.

The second occurred on Wednesday, October 28 when the team was deployed by police to search for two teenagers lost near Bray Tor.

Team control was able to talk to the missing pair via mobile phone and established that they had probably wandered north towards Great Nodden but without a map, compass or torches they were unable to determine their exact location.

The team used blue flashing lights to signal to the pair who then reported position back to control.

Search teams, along with police search dogs, were then deployed.

The pair were soon located by the search team and taken to safety.

The pair had gone out for a walk on the moor earlier in the day but unfortunately got lost as darkness fell.

Paul Vachon, controller for North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team, said: 'Both these incidents highlight the need, even for a stroll on Dartmoor, to take the necessary precautions of taking maps, compass, torch, food, drink and suitable clothing.

'In both these cases the clock change seems to have caught them out with night drawing in earlier than expected.'

l The team's fundraising efforts were boosted when member Brian Cole, the NDSRT training officer, presented a cheque for £1,047 to the team, pictured right.

Mr Cole had been sponsored to walk the 180-miles of the Scottish Highland Challenge in September.

Also, as part of the fundraising effort, team member Brian Andrew, organised a letterbox walk around Sourton Tor. Route cards at £2 each, are available via the team's website, http://www.ndsart.org.uk">www.ndsart.org.uk