Stoned Lake District hikers have to be rescued after smoking so much cannabis they could no longer walk

A group of hikers who were so stoned they could not walk sparked a major rescue operation in the Lake District.

A mountain rescue team were called after a group of four became stuck on the Hardrigg Gill on Scafell in the Lake District, a World Heritage site.

Wasdale and Duddon mountain rescue teams were called out just after around 6:30 on Saturday evening to rescue the group of stoned walkers, who had been smoking cannabis.

They were eventually led to safety around three hours later.

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An exasperated Cumbria police force took to Twitter to announce the bizarre incident, announcing the news by claiming: ‘Words fail us.’

The police tweeted: ‘Persons phoning Cumbria Police because they are stuck on a mountain, after taking cannabis.’

That prompted some comical replies – including one person who claimed it would be cheaper just to send some toffee crisps – as well a large number who were angry at the wasted walkers using up valuable police time.

Supt Justin Bibby of Cumbria Police said: ‘Taking alcohol or any other substance that could impair your judgement significantly increases your risk of getting into trouble.

‘It has no place on a mountain.’