THE North East Wales Search and Rescue say they are surprised by how many people are up on the hills late at night following their two latest call-outs in the region.

Volunteers dealt with two late night incidents on Monday, January 10.

In the first, North Wales Police had requested that the search and rescue team investigate reports of several stationary flashing lights high on the Clwydian Range.

A spokesperson for North East Wales Search and Rescue said: "Our First Responder contacted the member of the public that called the Police, who confirmed that the lights had now moved on. The informant was happy that there did not now appear to be anyone in distress and so the incident was closed.

"It's surprising how many people are up on the hills at night getting exercise, either walking or mountain biking. But if you have a concern for welfare it is always better to make the call and let the Police and ourselves investigate."

The second call-out was later on on Monday evening and saw two walkers reported lost on Moel Famau.

The spokesperson added: "Unfortunately the missing pair couldn't be reached by phone call, so a limited callout was instigated to search for their vehicle and then start a search of the expected locations where people sometimes end up. This often involves the forestry roads on the Loggerheads side of the summit, where it is very dark!

"Fortunately while all this was happening they turned up back at their car and we stood down."

Formed in 1981 as the 'Clwyd Rescue Team', the North East Wales Search and Rescue team is a registered charity.

It primarily operates area is in the counties of Flintshire, Denbighshire, Wrexham and parts of Conwy and Powys.

Its volunteers also regularly assist Mountain Rescue teams elsewhere in North Wales as well as Lowland Search and Rescue teams in Cheshire and Shropshire.