A GWENT town has been confirmed as one of four potential sites for a new prison.

Prisons minister David Hanson said today that Cwmbran, Merthyr, Wrexham and Caernarfon had been chosen as potential sites.

Plans to build a prison in Cwmbran, on a former police training centre, have already faced strong opposition from residents A consultation period on the shortlisted sites will now be held, said the Ministry of Justice and comments on the proposed sites must be made by 31 October.

The final decision will then be subject to planning permission.