HUNDREDS of furious residents last night vowed to take action to stop sex offenders being placed at a Gwent open prison.

More than 300 people packed into Usk Memorial Hall and unanimously agreed to bombard the Home Office with angry letters calling for an end to the policy.

The move follows last week's escape of child rapist Robert Neil Stokes, 35, from Prescoed open prison. It prompted a large-scale police search and put thousands of school pupils on alert.

But on Monday, prison service bosses told a meeting of Usk town council the policy of sending sex offenders to Prescoed would continue as normal.

Now, in a show of anger, residents are to write en-masse to the Home Office minister responsible. They also say they are willing to end their economic support of the prison and are urging businesses in the area to stop providing work placements for prisoners.

Local man Peter McGowan said: "Last week our children were scared silly, forced to stay indoors and while this programme is continuing there will always be that fear.

"We are all victims of this whole process." Usk resident Frances Phillips added: "We are taking on far more than our share of the national risk."

Monmouth AM David Davies told the meeting unless they succeeded in reversing the policy, Usk could expect up to four sex offenders escaping from Prescoed every three months.

He said: "What happened last week is not going to be unusual. "Prison service statistics show in a worst case scenario up to 10 per cent of offenders abscond each quarter.

"And they are planning to place up to 40 sex offenders at Prescoed." Mr Davies, Monmouth MP Huw Edwards and representatives of the town council and residents group are also to meet with Home Office minister Paul Goggins on Monday.

Mr Edwards told the meeting he would do his best to urge the policy to be reversed.

But, he warned: "I'm not going to kid you and say, 'don't worry I'll win this campaign for you'.

"I can save woodlands but I don't know how I can change government policy on sex offenders.

"But there is more chance of succeeding in a campaign like this if we stick together." He urged people to write to Mr Goggins ahead of Monday's meeting. He said: "What you have to say as an individual or as a parent is powerful. A big bundle of letters is very, very effective."