A GROUP of students on a hike in the Black Mountains in Wales rescued a 10-year-old girl they found wandering alone.

The students at Leyton Sixth Form College in Essex Road, Leyton, were completing a challenge for the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

After chancing upon the child, who had become separated from her family, the students wrapped her in warm clothes and phoned Mountain Rescue.

The girl, who was celebrating her 10th birthday, was reunited with her tearful family shortly afterwards.

Tracey Rogers, teacher at Leyton Sixth Form College who supervised the expedition, said “I am so proud of the students.

“They did exactly the right thing in looking after the girl who was clearly distressed and then contacting me and the authorities.

“We train all the students for emergency situations like these and it’s fantastic to see them put that training into practice.

“It was amazing to be able to reunite the family and save their daughter’s special day of celebration from becoming a tragedy.”