A PENSIONER died and his wife is today in a critical condition in hospital following a two-car crash in Gwent.

Retired builder Stanley Howell James, 85, from Llanhilleth, died in hospital following a collision between his Metro and a Rover 218 at 10.45am yesterday.

His 82-year-old wife, named locally as Evelyn, remains in intensive care with life threatening injuries.

The driver of the Rover 218 was also taken to hospital with minor injuries after the accident at the junction of the Glandwr industrial estate. It is not yet known whether speed was a factor in the accident, and police investigations continue.

But local people have called for the 60mph road to be made safer before any further serious accidents occur.

While the road collision unit of Gwent police carried out a forensic examination of the scene, the A467 was closed until 3.15pm from the Aberbeeg roundabout down as far as the traffic lights in Crumlin.

This caused heavy traffic in the village of Llanhilleth as motorists sought an alternative route up and down the Ebbw Fach valley.

Inspector Fran Richley of Gwent police said: "It is a serious crash. "We are not looking for anybody else in relation to the matter nor are we treating the incident as suspicious but we would appeal to anyone who was travelling down the A467 or anyone on the Glandwr industrial estate that may have seen events to contact the collision investigation line on 01633 642400."

Resident Anthony Donald, 54, of Partridge Road, Llanhilleth, said he would like to see the speed reduced on the roads.

"There have been quite a few accidents on this road lately so I would definitely like to see the speed cut down from 60mph to 50mph or maybe even 45mph."

Ron Selway, vice-chairman of the Llanhilleth Residents Association, said: "It is an extremely dangerous road and I think the speed limit should certainly be reduced but it is a bypass road so it would be difficult to do that."