The Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team (NNPMRT) has seen a change in leadership after its annual general meeting.

Iain Nixon has stepped down as team leader after ten years in the role, and Andy Mace has also stepped down as chair of trustees after four years.

Iain Nixon is stepping down as team leader for NNPMRTIain Nixon is stepping down as team leader for NNPMRT (Image: Supplied)

Both will remain as operational team members.

Mr Nixon assumed the role of team leader following a period of 'instability' and quickly focused on building and strengthening the team’s professional connections with the statutory emergency services across Northumberland and Tyne and Wear.

Under his leadership, the team has gone from 'strength to strength,' responding to 761 incidents with 2018 and 2011 being the busiest years.Andy Mace (Right) is stepping down as chair of trustees for NNPMRTAndy Mace (right) is stepping down as chair of trustees for NNPMRT (Image: Supplied) Mr Nixon said: "Our volunteers have been at the forefront of this work and over the past 10 years, a number of them have received awards for their involvement in Mountain Rescue."

Mr Mace said: "Change is inevitable and a part of any healthy organisation.

"Although Iain and I are both stepping down, the team is in a strong and stable position with a strong group of trustees."