A MAN had to be rescued from a Malvern Hills quarry by firefighters when he became stuck halfway up.

The 21-year-old, believed to be from Worcester, had been climbing with two companions up North Quarry when he slipped on scree.

The trio, two men and a woman, had climbed about 100 metres up the 200m face.

"He lost his footing and slipped slightly injuring his shoulder and he froze," said Malvern fire station officer Ian Seward.

The other two made their way to safety and called the emergency services shortly before 1pm on Sunday.

Two crews from Malvern, including the off-road vehicle and line rescue team, were called to the scene.

"They went to the top of the quarry face and pinpointed the man," said Mr Seward.

Four specially-trained firefighters abseiled down the quarry face to reach the man, secured him to a harness and rope and helped him down.

An ambulance was standing by, but he did not need to be taken to hospital. Emergency services left the scene shortly after 3pm.

Mr Seward urged people not to climb there.

"It's fenced off at the bottom and at the top. It's fairly clear you should not climb up there.

"It's just so dangerous because the scree slides away whenever you change your footing. People get stranded about halfway up and realise they can't get back down."

Meanwhile, on Tuesday afternoon a 19-year-old woman fell down the same quarry and was taken to hospital in Worcester with suspected back injuries.