A HAZARDOUS search is back on to try and trace two Bradford climbers missing on Ben Nevis.

Lochaber Mountain Rescue has 25 team members and one dog out in extremely challenging conditions, braving the risk of avalanche.

The team tweeted it had been a 'very subdued' briefing with much focus on staying safe while they attempt to scour the lower slopes from the north face of Castle Ridge, Castle Coire, below Waterfall Gully and all the way round to the hut where Rachel Slater, 24, and Tim Newton, 27, were believed to have been camping before an outing on Britain's highest peak last weekend.

A drone is also going to be used to try and look onto some of the ledges above a gully but expectations of it being able to operate are not high. A helicopter might also join the search later in the day if the weather improves.

The mountain rescue team also tweeted its Facebook page has had more than 1.1 million visits this week alone, together with links to other forums such as UK Climbing Forum with support and information.

"Hopefully some of this information will lead to a result soon," it said.

Ms Slater's family have flown from their home in Canada to be kept up to date with the search. In a joint statement with Mr Newton's family released on Thursday, they thanked search and rescue teams for their work and said they remain hopeful.

Climbers and walkers travelling to the area this weekend have been asked to bear the search activity in mind and report anything they feel may assist via 101.