The groups deliver assistance to the emergency services and directly to the community. They provide lifesaving search and rescue on inland waterways, mountains and caves. They also provide a specialist search dog facility and support civil aviation with a sky watch service.

Ms Sugden said: “This vital funding package of £240,000 will immediately benefit the voluntary Search and Rescue teams who, around the clock, are ready to answer calls from people in distress.

“In the first six months of this year, volunteers responded to around 250 incidents, and contributed around 10,000 operational hours. Their dedication, enthusiasm and courage is outstanding.”

She added: “I recognise and thank the community who generously continue to support our Search and Rescue groups and help them successfully make our waterways, towns and countryside much safer.”

The funding will be distributed between voluntary Search and Rescue groups who provide assistance to the statutory tasking authorities.