The children were rescued after getting stuck on Baglan Mountain. Photo: Chris Shaw CC-BY-SA-2.0

Four children were rescued after getting stuck on steep ground on a south Wales hillside.

The Western Beacons Mountain Search and Rescue Team was called out at 8.15pm yesterday, Monday, to go to the aid of the youngsters who were cragfast on Baglan Mountain, near Port Talbot.

An adult who went to try to help the children also had to be rescued after getting stuck.

Nick Hardwidge of the team said: “The children, who had been out after school exploring, had climbed up the steep densely wooded side of the mountain and got into difficulty, unable to descend or climb any further.

“An adult who went to aid the group after receiving a mobile telephone call also became trapped by the failing light.

“The rescue team who were out training on a local mountain responded to the call for help from South Wales Police and made their way swiftly to Baglan to rescue the group.”

Nick McAllister of the team added: “Although this was an easy rescue to perform, the children’s size meant that we had to adapt our normal methods slightly.

“Fortunately we have just purchased some fully adjustable harnesses with money from a recent donation and this made things a lot easier.”

The South Wales Police helicopter hovered over the scene at the hill, also known as Mynydd Dinas, and provided light for rescuers as two of the children were lowered with rescuers to the base of the mountain, while the two other children and the adult were raised up to the top and brought down to a waiting ambulance to be checked over.

Mr Hardwidge said: “Apart from being cold the five had survived their ordeal with no injuries.”