A dedicated couple who have clocked up nearly 100 years of voluntary service are set to celebrate their significant milestone.

John and Sue Noake have a combined total of nearly 100 years voluntary service at Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team.

Mr Noake marked his 50th year at the life-saving mountain rescue team this month – and his wife is set to follow suit next year.

To mark the achievement, team members presented a certificate to Mr Noake, who volunteers as treasurer, at the group’s most recent AGM.

Mr Noake, who now lives in Kirkland, was 25-years-old when he joined Wasdale MRT after moving to West Cumbria for work.

And the nature of call outs have changed significantly since the 75-year-old first became a part of the team in the 1990s.

“There were very few jobs back then compared to what we attend now,” the grandad-of-nine said.

“Fewer people got lost on the hills back then.

"There’s definitely a lot more call outs.”

Having ventured to the Alps and peaks of Scotland and Wales, Mr Noake’s experience in climbing aided his role in the team.

Mr Noake worked at Sellafield as a research engineer before setting up his own building business.

Now semi-retired, Mr Noake has taken a step back from his full-time job but has no intention of slowing down his volunteer work.

“I’m going to go on as long as I can,” the dad-of-five said.

“I’m on call whenever I’m needed, all hours of the day – day and night.

“Sometimes you have to go out in treacherous conditions but that’s just what you have to do.”

Remarking on his shared interest of fell-walking with wife Susan, Mr Noake said: “It’s a shared interest we have together that we both enjoy.

“It’s a huge achievement reaching 50 years. It makes you wonder where the time has gone.

“I think it’s rare that a couple have nearly 100 years of voluntary service between them but we’re very proud of it.

“I’ll stay as long as I can. It definitely helps maintain your fitness and keeps you busy too.”

A spokesman for Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team said: “This year has seen a significant milestone with John Noake achieving 50 years of service in the Wasdale team.

“This is a huge achievement and congratulations must go to him for his efforts over that time.

“Next year will see Sue Noake reach that milestone too and both have said that they would like to celebrate the event jointly next summer.”