Hoax callers who sparked a major rescue alert on a south Wales mountain have been condemned by a member of the Welsh Assembly for for putting lives at risk.

Two men were cautioned by Gwent Police for making malicious calls claiming that one of their friends had gone missing while out walking in a snow storm on the Blorenge Mountain near Abergavenny.

Sweep searching a mountain in darkness in sub-zero temperatures is a grim and dangerous business Alun Pugh AM

Officers had received calls from the men, who are aged 17 and 33, on Wednesday night claiming that the 19-year-old man was missing.

A major rescue operation was launched after the call claiming the man - who it was said was dressed only in light clothes - had become separated from the pair in freezing conditions near Llanfoist.

Two helicopters were called out in the alert.

The first was scrambled from South Wales Police but was beaten back by the bad weather.

A second was then scrambled from RAF Chivenor in Devon.

Alun Pugh AM condemned the hoaxers

Alun Pugh, the Clwyd West AM, condemned the hoax callers.

Mr Pugh is an active mountaineer and a qualified mountain leader.

He has been campaigning in the assembly to improve mountain safety.

He added: "I cannot believe that these idiots have been let off with a caution.

"They put the lives of RAF crew and volunteer rescue team members lives at risk.

"Sweep searching a mountain in darkness in sub-zero temperatures is a grim and dangerous business.

Court

"Anyone who knowingly calls out mountain rescue as a prank should face a court, and if convicted, should have to pay the costs of the callout."

The search was called off in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Police described the claims as "beyond belief" and issued a warning that hoax callers will be arrested.