A MOTHER last night told of her gratitude to a mystery man who plucked her two children to safety from a pond's muddy grip.

Robert Waters, six, and his 14-year-old sister Rachel were playing in a pond in Sir Harold Finch memorial park in Pontllanfraith, near Blackwood, on Monday evening. But their games nearly ended in tragedy when Robert slipped while looking at tadpoles and started sinking in its muddy bank. Hearing his screams Rachel ran across from the nearby park.

Bravely, she managed to stop Robert sinking any further than chest height but soon found herself stuck right up to her waist in mud.

Tragedy was averted by a mystery man who managed to pluck them to safety. The man, out walking his dog, held out a stick for them to grab hold of and eased them out of the pond.

Thankful mum Justine Waters, 33, of Brynglas Avenue, Pontllanfraith, be-lieves they would have died had it not been for him.

She now wants Caerphilly borough council to put up fencing and warning signs. "I'm not wanting to bad mouth the council because they have put a lovely playground in the park for the kids.

"However, I feel very lucky that my kids are alive today and I just want them to do something about it before someone gets seriously hurt."

The pond, which is only yards away from a children's playground, is a magnet for young children attracted to the thousands of tadpoles and fish who live there.

Rachel, thanking her lifesaver, said: "I didn't know who he was but he had a dog with him. "He asked us if we were OK and then he went."

A Caerphilly council spokesman said: "The pond is a natural feature and, as with any water course, we would urge local people to be extra careful. Children should be supervised at all times."

*PICTURED: Justine Waters with children Robert and Rachel.