FOLLOWING the dramatic rescue of an injured 12-year-old, parents are being urged to keep their children away from Hubberston Fort.

Coastguard teams and paramedics had to gain access to the fort, then - carrying the girl on a spinal board - negotiate the labyrinth of dark corridors before they could take her to Withybush Hospital.

A spokesman for Milford Haven Coastguard said: "Because of the girl's reported injuries and the inaccessibility of the location, the watch manager from Milford Haven operations room, a trained first aider, went to the scene.

"On his arrival he found that the girl was inside the fort itself having fallen some 15 feet. She was very frightened and complained of her arm and leg hurting.

"The ambulance paramedic and the watch manager attended to her injuries as much as they could and the Dale Coastguard team with their specialist equipment placed her on a spinal board and lifted and carried her though the labyrinth of corridors of the disused fort."

It is understood that the girl's injuries were not as serious as first feared, and that she was discharged the following day. But the next victim may not be so lucky, and the fort owners, Milford Haven Port Authority, are seeking to highlight the dangerous nature of the place.

Chief executive Ted Sangster said: "Although we have warning notices displayed, seek to keep the site secure and inspect it to that effect, it is a constant battle to keep ahead of the vandals who destroy the security barriers and break into the property.

"We inspected it again yesterday and it is evident that entry points previously secured with reinforcing mesh have been cleanly cut, as if with a hacksaw, and the bars bent back. We suspect this is the work of juveniles because our staff couldn't climb through the gaps created. On the seaward side where we had bricked up the openings with concrete blocks, these have been demolished, perhaps with machinery. We surmise that this is perhaps more with the assistance of irresponsible older youths or adults.

"We are in the process of re-securing the fort without delay and will increase the frequency with which we check security and keep re-securing as necessary."

Mr Sangster added: "We would stress that the fort is not a playground but a dangerous area. Once the outer walls and barriers have been breached, there are a number of unfenced and high walls onto which any intruders are not only trespassing but putting themselves at risk. Parents should ensure that their children are instructed to keep away from it. Similarly it is irresponsible to allow or assist anyone to break down, destroy or bypass the physical security measures that are in place to prevent entry to the site. Any instances of this should be reported to us and the police."