Sturdy waterproof footwear could help to reduce the risk of accidents when hiking, due to the increasingly unpredictable summer weather conditions.

Southern England has been hit by heavy rain and lightning storms over the past few days, as the after effects of a brief summer heatwave threatened to spoil outdoor plans.

Further North in more mountainous areas, walkers can protect themselves from any unexpected showers by ensuring they pack waterproof clothing in their daysacks.

This weekend one unlucky woman had to be rescued, after slipping in the Lake District and seriously fracturing her ankle.

While descending High Crag above Ullswater she fell and was later rescued by 15 members of the Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team, who took her to the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle for further treatment.

Despite this being an accident, walkers can ensure they wear hiking footwear with ankle protection and a suitable outdoor tread, to minimise injuries in any weather.