TWO Gwent men were arrested on suspicion of conspiring to blackmail a businessman from a Cotswold village.

The man claims he was assaulted outside his home in Great Orchard, Thrupp, near Stroud, early last month, and alleges that he has received threats from two men.

A spokeswoman for Gloucestershire Police said: "We have arrested two men on suspicion of conspiracy to blackmail following an incident at the property in Thrupp.

"The men are aged 48 and 55 and are both from Monmouth in Gwent." The pair have been released on bail and are due to report back to Stroud police station later next week.

Police inquiries are continuing.