A BOY aged six was subjected to a serious sexual assault after being taken from a playground, police revealed.

The boy was in a children's playground in Cwmfelinfach at the rear of Mill Street when he was approached by a male.

He was then taken a short distance away to an area near a river, where the assault is said to have taken place, on Tuesday afternoon.

Police were carrying out door-to-door inquiries in the village on Tuesday evening and there is still a police cordon around the area where the incident was said to have occurred.

Yesterday afternoon a team of five police officers was carrying out a search of a nearby green and a children's playground. Residents of the small close-knit village spoke of their shock at what they had heard yesterday.

Most people in the streets surrounding the scene had been visited by police officers making inquiries.

One woman, who did not want to be named, said she first noticed a police presence in the area on Tuesday afternoon and officers had asked her if she had seen anything suspicious.

Another resident added that the first she knew of anything wrong was when police called at her home at around 9pm.

People living in the area also said the village was regarded as a very safe area, where parents happily let their children go out to play.

Gwent Police are appealing for anyone with information to call 01633 838111 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

l A man arrested in connection with the attack yesterday was today released on police bail.