Mountain rescue teams carried out a near six-and-a-half hour operation at Sharp Edge, on Blencathra, on Saturday having been alerted by a walker shortly after 08:30 GMT.

The woman suffered several injuries but stopped herself falling further, Keswick Mountain Rescue Team said.

The group described Sharp Edge as “notoriously slippy” in wet conditions.The woman was “also fortunate to have received excellent first aid by a passing Royal Marine,” they said.

A rope system was used to lower the woman to a doctor from Penrith Mountain Rescue Team.

She was then taken to hospital in a Coastguard helicopter after being stretchered to a meeting point.