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A new information service using Twitter has been launched aimed at keeping walkers safe in Snowdonia.

The national park is using the social media site to give people weather information and walking advice before they take to the mountains.

The service - @safesnowdonia in English and @eryridiogel in Welsh - will also highlight good mountaineering examples.

Llanberis Rescue Team said it regularly saved walkers who had failed to check the weather forecast.

"This new service will be a valuable service to everyone who intends to walk on the mountains in Snowdonia," said John Grisdale, chairman of the Llanberis Rescue Team.

"Llanberis Rescue Team is called out too often to rescue walkers in bad weather because they haven't bothered to look at the weather forecast and therefore haven't prepared.

"If walkers did their research thoroughly, including finding out what the conditions on the ground before setting out, it would make our work as a rescue team much easier."

Changes in ground conditions will be tweeted, as well as general advice on walking in the mountains.

National park warden Gruff Owen, who is responsible for the new service, said: "In the middle of all the Christmas excitement, it's very easy to forget the importance of thorough preparation before setting out on the mountains, and knowing what the ground conditions will be is part of that preparation.

"You need to ensure that you have the correct equipment, including an ice axe and crampons and knowing how to use them is as important as having them.

"Knowing also what the ground conditions will be before setting out is incredibly important.

"The mountains of Snowdonia are there to be enjoyed, but you will not enjoy the experience if you haven't prepared yourself adequately."

The national park already supplies information to the Met Office website,