SHOPPERS in Tredegar town centre reacted with fury to news that a Welsh heroes poll organiser is trying to displace local politician legend Anuerin Bevan from the top spot.

The Argus exclusively revealed on Saturday that Robin Gwyn - the National Museums and Galleries of Wales director of communications - had sent e-mails with the NMGW heading urging people to vote for Owain Glyndwr instead of Nye Bevan.

The publicly-funded body is part of CultureNet which is organising the poll.

Blaenau Gwent MP Llew Smith said Mr Gwyn should now consider his position and on the streets of Tredegar, where Bevan was born and lived for most of his life, locals were just as angry.

Cliff Andrewartha, from Gwent Way, Tredegar said: "Nye Bevan should be getting more credit and is about the only one that springs to mind when you think of Welsh heroes.

"Owain Glyndwr seemed to be just a feudal lord who killed and pillaged anyway."

Bob Griffiths, a 62-year-old traffic warden from Pant Farm estate, Newbridge, said: "Nye is a British hero, let alone a Welsh hero. In modern times Nye would be a worthy winner because he was the architect of the NHS.

"It is wrong that Mr Gwyn is using the letterhead of his organisation to canvass people."

Marie Price, 54, from Walter Conway Avenue, Tredegar, said: "Without Nye Bevan there would be no NHS. He did a lot for Britain, not just Wales."

Pauline Thomas, 80, from Oliver Jones Crescent, Tredegar, said: "Owain Glyndwr is ancient history and you have to wonder whether his achievements were make believe or not because it was such a long time ago."

Karen Harris, 33, from Church Street, Tredegar, said: "I wasn't around when Nye Bevan was in Tredegar but I have heard a lot about him and he is still well thought of in the town. I would like to see him win."

Michael James, 62, from Glan-y-Nant, Rhymney, said: "The only one that has ever done anything for the country as a whole is Nye Bevan. He brought in the NHS and everyone has benefited from that."