Four sisters have been rescued after falling up to 40 feet down a disused mine in north Wales.

The four women and one man were with a group of climbers exploring a cave system at Penrhyndeudraeth, near Porthmadog.

Police say the group's members, who are all in their twenties, were exploring caves at the abandoned Bwlch y Plwm lead quarries on Friday night.

They were taken to hospital suffering from multiple injuries.

The mine, which was used to extract lead ore, was closed in the 1920s. It is believed to be a popular site for mine exploration enthusiasts.

The incident happened after two of the women had abseiled to a lower level 30 or 40 feet underground.

A woman, and a man who is believed to be an instructor, followed them but fell, landing on top of the first pair.

Their torches were damaged in the fall and three of the climbers suffered broken bones.

A member of the group who had stayed outside the mine raised the alarm.

The injured climbers were winched to safety in a rescue operation lasting more than three hours.

They were airlifted to Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor where the man is still being treated for a broken leg.

The others have been discharged.

The rescue was co-ordinated by Aberglaslyn and south Snowdonia mountain rescue teams and a cave rescue team.