Llantysilio Mountain. Photo: Eirian Evans CC-BY-SA-2.0

Police have warned off-roaders of the dangers of taking to the hills after mountain rescuers had to be called to search for the occupants of a stranded 4×4.

The North Wales Police helicopter helped in the operation to bring the driver and passengers to safety from the vehicle after it got stuck near the Horseshoe Pass north of Llangollen.

The police were alerted about 10.30pm on Saturday after the occupants, two men and two women from Ellesmere Port, got bogged down in mud and snow on Llantysilio Mountain.

The vehicle had left a track and ventured on to a footpath on a site of special scientific interest, where it bottomed out.

Members of North East Wales Search and Rescue walked to the vehicle to rescue the four, in temperatures of –11C. The vehicle’s occupants were brought to safety, unharmed, about 1.30am.

A spokesperson for North Wales Police said: “Police are reminding all motorists not venture off road and are highlighting to motorists that driving on such routes can be extremely hazardous particularly in bad weather conditions. Motorists are also being warned that they could face prosecution for driving on protected land.”