The teenagers got into difficulties in poor weather on the Carmarthen Fans. Photo: Bob Smith/grough

A large group of teenagers was rescued from mountains in the Brecon Beacons national park after getting into difficulties in bad weather.

Four mountain rescue teams, a Coastguard helicopter and specialist ambulance staff took part in the major operation to find and bring to safety 26 young people taking part in a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expedition in the Black Mountain.

Dyfed-Powys Police alerted Western Beacons Mountain Search and Rescue Team at lunchtime on Wednesday when the group called for help in what rescuers described as ‘very poor weather’.

The team was joined by colleagues from the Brecon, Central Beacons and Longtown Mountain Rescue Teams in the operation on the Carmarthen Fans near Dan yr Ogof show caves in the western part of the national park.

An ambulance service hazardous area rescue team was also involved and the St Athan Coastguard helicopter flew to the scene.

The teenagers, from a school in St Albans in Hertfordshire, became disoriented in bad visibility on the mountains, which rise to a height of 802m (2,631ft). A Western Beacons team spokesperson said: “Thankfully, despite the appalling weather condition, all members of the missing party were located safe.

“The missing groups were located and brought safety off the hill from where they were then taken to a local community hospital for a precautionary check-ups.

“Today was another great example of all the south Wales teams and our partner emergency services working together in very trying conditions.”

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “We are pleased to confirm that following the search and rescue operation on the Brecon Beacons this afternoon, all 26 members of the party involved have been accounted for.

“It is also very pleasing that no one was injured, but as a precaution they are being taken to hospital to be checked. The mountain rescue team and the Coastguard’s helicopter crew are to be thanked for this successful search and rescue operation.”