Rescuers have hit out after being called to rescue a group on top of England's highest mountain - who had been left incapacitated after taking drugs.

Today a senior police officer has said that booze and drugs have "no place on a mountain" and praised mountain rescue volunteers who located the four.

Police received a 999 call at 6.35pm yesterday that the four - understood to be from the Greater Manchester area and in their twenties - had run into difficulty on Scafell Pike, England's highest mountain.

Members of Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team were called to scale the mountain to find the walkers.

Cumbria Police issued a statement last night saying efforts to rescue the party continue.

It said: "We were called at 6.35pm this evening to a report of a group of four people having come into difficulty on Scafell Pike.

"Cumbria Constabulary is supporting efforts to ensure the group are able to return safely, along with colleagues from mountain rescue. The efforts are on-going."

The force had earlier sparked a social media storm on Facebook and Twitter, after stating walkers were stuck "after taking cannabis".

Cumbria Police's social media post read: "Persons phoning Cumbria Police because they are stuck on a mountain, after taking cannabis. Now having to deploy M'tain Rescue, Air support and Ambulance to rescue them. Words fail us....."

A later post said that the four were "incapable of walking due to cannabis use" and that mountain rescuers had put themselves at risk "to prevent harm".

Hundreds of people posted comments and replies.

Today a statement from the force confirmed that the party of four had to be rescued from Scafell Pike.

Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team members successfully located them and brought them down safely at around 9.45pm.

Superintendent Justin Bibby said: "Never underestimate the mountains. Always be prepared before setting off.

"Mountain safety is your responsibility. Have the right equipment and food and know how to use it.

"Our priority is your safety.

"Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team had a particularly busy day yesterday dealing with this and other incidents and they do an amazing job and they are always there to assist those who get into difficulty."

He added: "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."