RESIDENTS of Usk were left 'furious' after a meeting with a Home Office minister to urge him to stop sex offenders being housed there.

David Davies, Assembly Member for Monmouth, Monmouth MP Huw Edwards, Paul Starling, chairman of the Usk residents action group, Kay Peacock, town mayor and Councillor Tony Kear, met Paul Goggins yesterday afternoon to urge him to change the policy and stop sex offenders being placed at the open prison.

Mr Starling, chairman of the Usk residents action group, said: "I feel that we went through the motions of democracy but it was all a smokescreen.

"The government minister listened and listened and then did absolutely nothing about the policy which will not change.

"The whole of Usk and the surrounding communities have been betrayed by this policy and all are furious."

Mr Starling said the next step was a petition across the whole of South East Wales and to withdraw all cooperation by the town and surrounding communities with the prison.

He said: "These dangerous sex offenders including child rapists and paedophiles from all over Britain cannot be integrated into our communities if our communities refuse to allow them to be integrated."

David Davies said: "The minister said his intention was to increase the number up to 40 which is absolutely shocking. I am very disappointed but the battle will continue.

"I will certainly continue to work with the mayor of Usk, the action group and the MP to put pressure on Paul Goggins."