Pontypool, Wales News

ONLINE retailers were last night counting their virtual tills after the busiest shopping day of the year so far - with Christmas gift hunters spending an unprecedented 175m.

PEOPLE packed the streets of Pontypool at the weekend for the town's annual Christmas Cavalcade.

A A 5,000 reward was offered after an ice cream van was torched metres away from a home in Pontypool.

THREE people in Torfaen were the inspiration for cartoon characters to help promote recycling.

BRAVE Pontypool youngster Jazmine Martin is due to face another battle with a rare form of cancer after Christmas, just over a year after having a tumour removed.

PONTYPOOL church-goers sent a 20ft container packed full of toys, computers and other electrical items to a school in Ghana.

ONE in four civil servants in Wales has been bullied at work, often being at the receiving end of "negative behavioura a every week, according to a new study today.

Assembly Government economists tell ministers they can be "quite bullisha a about unemployment, First Minister Rhodri Morgan said today.

Newport's very own Georgian gypsy punk band Rogora Khart will join the festivities at Siluria's Merry Midwinter Hafla at New Panteg RFC, New Inn, Pontypool on Wednesday 16 December.

HEAD coach Richard Hodges saluted Wanderers' spirit last night after they battled to victory against brave Pooler.

A BLAENAVON man was jailed for three years after admitting causing the death of his 22-year-old friend through drink-driving. Grant Skuse, 45, of Cwmavon Road, pleaded guilty to causing the death of Gwillyn John Evans, by careless driving while under the influence of alcohol.

A PONTYPOOL couple is devastated after losing photos and videos of a newborn baby following a burglary at their home.

WALES lost more jobs than any other UK nation or region for the second consecutive three-month period, official figures show.

A PONTYPOOL man yesterday commemorated 60 years of playing the last post at the towna s Remembrance Day service.

A VALLEYS council is planning to demolish a former primary school after thieves stole lead flashings from the roof.

Health Minister Edwina Hart will attend the launch of a new initiative to reduce heart disease in Torfaen.

A PONTYPOOL woman was jailed for dragging another woman to the ground by her hair and kicking her in the face more than a dozen times.

A PONTYPOOL woman was awarded an MBE for her voluntary work for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

WINGER Jon Brown, currently playing a leading role for MacWhirter Welsh Football League side Bryntirion Athletic, has not given up hopes on a professional career.

SHOPPERS at a Newport supermarket faced chaos yesterday when firefighters were called to a leak of liquid petroleum gas from a 4x4.