THE body of a walker had to be recovered from the moors at Blackstone Edge, Rochdale, after he fell ill and collapsed.

It is believed the 86-year-old man was out walking with two friends near the White House pub on Tuesday when he complained of feeling dizzy and collapsed.

Mountain rescue teams from Rossendale and Pendle and Oldham were called to the scene at about 1.15pm. An air ambulance, police and paramedics also attended.

Andy Simpson, from Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue, said: "The gentleman had been walking with two friends when he collapsed. The man was pronounced dead at the scene some time later.

"Officers from Greater Manchester Police also attended and the patient was removed from the moor and then transferred to a waiting ambulance in Halifax Road." ends