A MAN has been charged with attempted murder after a Gwent pensioner was shot at her Chepstow home.

The 26-year-old man, who is from the Bristol area, was due to appear before Newport magistrates today.

He is also charged with associated firearms offences.

It follows an incident where a 67-year-old woman, named locally as Jean Needham, suffered three wounds to her chest at her home in The Reddings, Bulwark, on Wednesday afternoon.

Mrs Needham is understood to live alone in her first-floor flat.

At the council-run sheltered complex yesterday residents described Mrs Needham as a well-known and well-liked woman.

One 85-year-old neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: "Everyone knows her, she is always out with her little dog. It's shocking that something like that could happen here."

Following the incident Mrs Needham was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital for treatment but was due to be sent home.

DCI Harry Gamlin, of Gwent Police, said: "We would like to reassure residents in the area that this is an isolated incident and the offender is known to the victim.

"Our principal aim is to ensure the safety of the community at all times, and we continue to do so with high-visibility patrols."