A NEWPORT scheme which brought sweet harmony to the city's bus station by driving out the yobs could be copied across Wales.

As we reported earlier this week, the playing of classical music in the station appeared to restore calm.

Waiting passengers often felt intimidated by young people hanging around, but dislike of the piped music has kept troublemakers at bay. The initiative was developed by local community groups, through Newport Young People's Partnerships, with National Assembly funding.

John Griffiths, AM for Newport East, raised the issue in the National Assembly this week when he questioned First Minister Rhodri Morgan about tackling anti-social behaviour.

"I pointed out the development in Newport that classical music seemed to have a positive effect and I asked him if it would be possible to look at using this concept across Wales.

"He seemed quite positive," Mr Griffiths told the Argus. A report of the proceedings in the Assembly detailed Mr Morgan's response to the question from his Labour colleague.

"I have heard of his Mozart aversion-therapy experiment. Its final effects are not known, but I have heard that it is incredibly effective," said the leader. "If it works we should pursue it."

Graffiti, vandalism and threatening behaviour were having a huge impact at the station until this latest project to combat 'yob culture'. Now, instead of boisterous youths, popular classical tunes - such as the theme from the film Titanic - greet visitors to the station, and a marked decrease in nuisance behaviour has resulted.