CYRIL Price knows all about the pain of kidney stones and the major operations required to remove them before lithotripsy came along.

Mr Price, from Cross Keys, has suffered from multiple kidney stones for many years but recently has been treated with the lithotripter.

"I've spent many months in hospital recovering from surgery and this is much better, far quicker and there is little or no pain.

"I can walk out of here after a treatment and go home," he said. "It's a marvellous thing, and the staff who provide the treatment are wonderful too. I hope they get a new machine because it saves so much inconvenience and discomfort for everyone."

Fellow patient Charles Prior, from Newport, agreed. "This is an excellent service and should continue," he said.

To mark the 10th anniversary of the lithotripter, former patients and anyone else interested are invited to a celebration at the Royal Gwent's department of urology on Tuesday, May 31, from 3pm.

Those who plan to come along are asked to telephone Nick or Deb in the department on 01633 234987.