Wyndcliff's crags are heavily wooded. Photo: Pete Randall-Cook CC-BY-SA-2.0

An injured climber was rescued from a south Wales cliff in a difficult operation lasting three hours.

The 56-year-old experienced climber from Sleaford in Lincolnshire fell 100ft from a route on Wyndcliff near Chepstow yesterday, Sunday.

Abergavenny-based Longtown Mountain Rescue Team was called out about 1.30pm after the climber, who was with a companion, suffered suspected back and shoulder injuries in the 30m fall.

A team spokesperson said: “Longtown MRT was joined by members from Central Beacons MRT and Brecon MRT to rescue the casualty who was left stranded half way up the famous cliffs.

“In a three-hour rescue, the teams had to lower the stretcher by hand and ropes and weave it through dense woodland.

“Traffic then had to be held up on the A466 so the stretcher could be carried along the road to a waiting ambulance.”

Luke Lewis, deputy team leader from Longtown MRT, said: “The casualty was half way up a tree-lined cliff which meant it was a tricky rescue but that’s what our members train for.

“This callout showed the importance of the continuing close cooperation between the mountain rescue teams in south and mid-Wales. The RAF search and rescue helicopters and the Wales Air Ambulance play a vital role in saving lives but cannot always reach a casualty due to ground or weather conditions.”

The man was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital for treatment.

Wyndcliff is the start of the well-known 365 steps walk and also attracts visitors to see its hanging woodlands. The site also has more than 60 rock-climbing routes on its limestone crags.