ONE prisoner goes missing every week from a Gwent open prison, the Argus can exclusively reveal today.

The news came as a hunt was launched for a convicted fraudster from HMP Prescoed, Usk, who police want to question about the theft of hundreds of items of mail in the Newport area.

The escape figures will come as a severe blow to Usk residents, currently fighting the housing of sex offenders at Prescoed after child rapist Robert Neil Stokes went on the run a fortnight ago.

Yesterday campaigners were told there would be no U-turn on the controversial policy when they met with Home Office minister Paul Goggins.

But it came as it was revealed 24 prisoners absconded from Prescoed between October, 2003 and March this year - a rate of one a week.

Monmouth AM David Davies said: "The statistics show the absconding is happening on a regular basis."

Today the hunt was continuing for Gareth John Tuvnes who is wanted in connection with the theft of six postbags. Tuvnes, who was described by a judge as "devious," was jailed at the end of August for conspiracy to steal and walked out of Prescoed on September 24.

But the Prison Service defended the prison and said: "Public protection is paramount."