RESCUE services were called into action on the weekend after four people became trapped in a flooded cave for five and a half hours.

Five people had gone into the cave complex at Black Rock, near Brynmawr, when four were cut off by rising waters.

The fifth man man managed to get out and raise the alarm on.

Volunteers from the West Brecon Cave Rescue Team (WBCRT), fire crews and police went to the scene.

WBCRT rescue controller Brian Jopling said they had a call at about 4pm from Gwent Police about an incident in Craig Yr Ffnon in the Clydach Gorge.

The cave flooded because of torrential rain in the area.

He said the fifth man was leaving after injuring his ankle when the cave closed behind him.

Mr Jopling explained a small party of about eight went to the site. "From the weather forecast, we knew that the flood waters would start to subside which they did around 9.30pm.

"Our team got into the cave and found the party safe and well so we escorted them out."

Mr Jopling said the cavers, all mature experienced cavers believed to be from Hampshire, were well equipped.

Firefighters then helped to bring them down the mountainside, said a spokesman for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

She said they were taken to Nevill Hall Hospital, Abergavenny, as a precautionary measure.

The fire service was alerted just after 5pm and crews from Abergavenny, Ebbw Vale and Blaenavon went to assist.

Gwent Cave Rescue Team was dissolved in August and West Brecon Cave Rescue Team (WBCRT) took over responsibility for caves in the area.

It has more than 150 members who voluntarily assist others who may be lost or injured underground in caves or mines in South and mid-Wales at any time of day or night.