TWO climbers were taken to hospital after a rescue operation was launched near a quarry in Monmouthshire.

A coastguard rescue helicopter assisted South Western Ambulance Service, which was called at around 9.30am yesterday to the incident near Chepstow.

A spokeswoman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: "UK Coastguard were contacted by South Western Ambulance requesting assistance to recover two climbers from an inaccessible quarry, north east of Chepstow. The coastguard rescue helicopter from St Athan provided back up."

One casualty was expected to be airlifted to hospital, while the other was expected to be taken by road ambulance.

A spokesman for South Western Ambulance Service said two male casualties were taken in to Bristol Children’s Hospital.

One was taken to hospital with a possible fractured leg and one with a hand injury.

Two ambulances, a rapid response vehicle and a hazardous area response team attended.