The RAF was called in to help with the rescue

The accident happened shortly before midday on Thursday at the Earl's Hill Nature Reserve area of Pontesford Hill in Pontsbury.

The 33-year-old local man, who is a climbing instructor, was treated on the ledge by air ambulance paramedics before being winched away by an RAF Sea King helicopter.

He is being treated for head injuries, two broken legs, a broken arm, chest and pelvic injuries.

'Equipment failure'

The operation to rescue the climber took two hours and was described by the air ambulance crew as one of most difficult they have known.

An investigation has begun into how the accident happened, although it is thought equipment failure might be to blame.

Sergeant John Hustle, from Shrewsbury police, said: "An investigation's under way, but early implications would suggest there's either been an equipment failure or a problem with the equipment becoming loose from the rock face.

"He is quite an experienced climber.

"Perhaps it was just one of those things that can happen when people are rock climbing."