AN afternoon of adventure for six caving enthusiasts turned into an overnight rescue operation near Casterton.

The cavers went underground on Saturday at 11.30am at Lancaster Hole, part of the long and notoriously complex Ease Gill Caverns, and expected to emerge at County Pot at 7.30pm that day.

The adventurers had not appeared by 9pm and were reported overdue.

Members of the Cave Rescue Organisation rushed to search for the missing cavers and were assisted by the Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association, Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team and Cumbria Ore Mines Rescue Unit.

As another party had seen them well on their way earlier in the day the search was concentrated towards County Pot.

With no-one found, the Lancaster Hole entrance was checked, incase they had been unable to find their way forward and had returned over their now-familiar route.

READ MORE: Woman airlifted to hospital after seven-hour mountain rescue operation

With this initial check drawing no results, a new party was preparing to go into the cave system from Lancaster Hole when a phone call was received.

Two of the missing cavers had emerged from Lancaster Hole, shortly followed by another one.

The remaining three, fatigued by their efforts, needed hauling up the 33-metre entrance pitch.

The rescuers and missing cavers returned to Bull Pot Farm, the rescue base, by 5.15am.