The operation to rescue four trapped miners from a mine shaft in Wales continues into Thursday night as rescue workers try desperately to free the four miners trapped on Thursday afternoon.

Rescue workers are trying to save the four trapped miners who are located 300ft underground at a colliery in South Wales and are working and will continue to work nonstop through the night to save the miners. Rescue workers have confirmed to Sky News that they are pumping water out of the flooded mine in a bid to save the men as soon as possible.

Four pumps are being used to suck water out of the shafts with a large scale operation continuing in Wales. Sky News has reported that the emergency services have made contact with the men with high water levels being reported in the shaft of the mine. It is understood that that water broke out from an old mine in the shaft flooding where the miners were working.

Prime Minister David Cameron said his thoughts were with the men and their family and friends "at this very difficult time".

Chris Margetts, from the emergency services said. "They are down a 250 metre (820ft) main route into the mine. There are numerous little tunnels and old workings which all potentially have air pockets in," Chris Margetts, from the emergency services said.

"They are experienced miners, they know the layout of the mine, and they would know where to go in this situation. What we are dealing with is their egress (route) out of the mine is full of water, he said.

Labour MP for Peter Hain has released a statement saying that he understands the complexities of the operation and said he understood rescuers were using a parallel tunnel to pump oxygen into the mine while also attempting to pump water out.

"This is a desperately serious situation. I have talked to all the families concerned who are my constituents," he said.

"The police and the rescue services have assured me that everything possible is being done to rescue these men," he continued.

The BBC reports that although most mines in south Wales are now closed, there are pockets of small-scale collieries still in operation.

The emergency services have set up a dedicated phone number set up up for members of the public. The number is: 01792 555565.

Gleision Colliery, in operation since 1993, works coal under a very steep hillside above the banks of the river Tawe.