Smartphone users taking their daysacks for a day out on the fells are putting themselves at risk of injury or worse by relying on apps to help guide themselves around, mountain rescuers have said.

Many walkers are shunning the tried and trusted map and compass and turning to a dizzying array of mobile apps. But many mobiles are at risk of signal faults in remote areas and poor battery power.

Rescuers have said such apps have contributed to a rise in rescue call-outs in recent years.

Teams said increasing smartphone use is representative of a new generation of young walkers who know a lot about technology but lack outdoor knowledge.

Nick Owen, Langdale and Ambleside mountain rescue team leader, told the Daily Mail: "They're great with technology, but they can't walk up a hill without getting into trouble. They take no sensible kit such as spare clothing and they rely on technical gadgetry which they're not familiar with."

But rescuers also stressed that a fully-charged mobile can be an important piece of kit on the hills.

Teams said a recent incident involved a couple attempting to get off a ridge near Rydal in the Lake District using Google Maps on their iPhone.

UK walking charity the Ramblers also stresses that mobile phones should not be relied upon as a primary navigation aid.