TWO South Wales murderers on the run since Thursday are back behind bars, detectives revealed last night.

Convicted Blackwood killer Peter James Young (pictured) and Caerphilly-born murderer Elfed Wayne Smart triggered a major police hunt after both absconded with another man from Leyhill Open Prison near Thornbury, south Gloucestershire on Thursday.

But Young and Smart are now back in custody and were moved to more secure prisons. Young was jailed for life following his brutal killing of Philip Boulton, from Cefn Fforest, in October, 1984.

He was convicted of throwing the 20-year-old labourer over the edge of a 40-foot quarry in Pengham.

Smart, 36, was convicted at Cardiff crown court on October 31, 1986 of murdering teenager Hadyn Jones in Nelson. Young was drinking with his victim before dragging him to the quarry and carrying out the brutal killing.

During his trial the court heard how Mr Boulton begged for his life and Young "finished him off" by throwing a rock against his head.

Smart strangled his victim as the pair walked home from a night out with friends. After the pair escaped from Leyhill, Gwent detectives suspected the two killers would head to their South Wales homes.

But neither made it out of Gloucestershire. An Avon and Somerset police spokesman said 41-year-old Young was captured in Charfield, around 15 miles away from Leyhill on Saturday evening. He is now at Horfield prison, Bristol, where he can be more closely monitored. Smart gave himself up to staff at Leyhill open prison yesterday lunchtime and he is also expected to be moved to Horfield.

The third absconder, convicted robber Ian Edward Crowley, 33, serving 11 years for robbery remains at large.

An Avon and Somerset police spokesman told the Argus: "At tea-time on January 5 Young was captured in Charfield some 10-15 miles from the prison and he has been returned to HMP in Horfield.

"On January 6 Smart surrendered himself to staff at HMP Leyhill. Inquiries into the whereabouts of the third man continue."

It is not yet known whether the two men's sentences will be affected by their escape.