GWENT police have named the man found dead in woods after three women were shot at a Newport hairdressers yesterday as 45-year-old Darren Williams of Cwmbran.

Police launched a man hunt to find Mr Williams after his ex partner, named locally as Rachel Williams, was shot in the leg at the Carol Ann hair salon in Malpas Road where she worked.

Two female clients were also injured, though not seriously.

Police said Mrs Williams remains in a stable condition at the Royal Gwent Hospital at Newport.

Family liaison officers from Gwent police are supporting relatives involved in the case.

Superintendent Dave Johnson, local commander for Newport, today paid tribute to armed response officers from the force, who searched for Mr Williams for more than five hours, and to A member of the public who reported seeing his car, a grey mini cooper, at a canalside location close to the scene of the shooting. After a search by officers, Mr Williams’ body was found in the same area.

Officers investigating the incident are now studying CCTV images as they piece together the sequence of events which lead to the shooting. They are still keen to talk to anyone who has any information about a shotgun used in the incident. Please call us on 101 or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Superintendent Johnson, said: "We have a greatly increased police presence in Newport at the moment.

"We have family liasion officers working with relatives involved in the shooting at Carol Ann's hair salon yesterday, and neighbourhood officers working with the community in that area, where I know people have been shocked and upset. We understand those feelings and share them.

"Please be assured that we are devoting substantial resources to both the investigation and to working with the community here. "