As the National Assembly elections loom, your Argus is reporting on each constituency. In the latest of our profiles, JANE HELMICH looks at Newport West.

NEWPORT West has some of the most deprived wards in the country - but it also contains the city's more affluent areas.

The 96 square kilometre constituency is made up of Allt-yr-yn, Bettws, Caer-leon, Gaer, Graig, Malpas, Marshfield, Pillgwenlly, Rogerstone, Shaftsbury, Stow Hill and Tredegar Park.

Since gaining city status, Newport's profile has risen and its commercial heart is due to undergo a multi-million transformation over the next few years.

A private company is behind the scheme for the Kingsway Shopping Centre but Assembly cash has already helped to give the city centre a lift.

The National Assembly, Newport council and the Welsh Development Agency funded a £1.2 million upgrade which included new paving and improved lighting.

A £3.5 million deal was announced by the city council and the Assembly last year to ensure the medieval ship - discovered during the construction of the new theatre and arts centre - would be preserved and put on permanent display.

A major cash boost from the Assembly also enabled the 'People's Bank' to expand across the city.

Newport's first credit union - which allows people to save money and take out loans at low interest rates - covered Bettws, Malpas, Shaftsbury and Rogerstone.

Newport North West Credit Union successfully applied for a £50,000 grant to take the bank into other wards.

The National Assembly is among a number of bodies funding a new £250,000 community building aimed at keeping youngsters out of trouble on one estate.

Award-winning Bettws in Bloom secured the grants for a environmental, educational, heritage and activity centre which is being built near the police station.

Local businesses have also received a helping hand from the Assembly.

A fridge recycling plant established in the docks - the first in England and Wales - was given funding from the National Assembly's Regional Selective Assistance programme.

Fans Financial Advisors, in Clarence House, Newport, which offers financial services to top soccer professionals and their supporters, were awarded one of the first Assembly Investment Grants of £50,000 last year.

Work is progressing on the new Southern Distributor Road which will begin at the Coldra, in Newport East, and end at the Pont Ebbw roundabout in Newport West allowing heavy traffic to steer clear of residential and commercial districts.

It was given the go-ahead by a National Assembly inspector in 2001 following a public inquiry.

But the Assembly has come in for some harsh criticism over some other transport issues.

Last year Transport Minister Sue Essex's decision to shelve plans for the M4 Relief Road between Magor and Castleton which came under fire from the city's leaders.

And the Assembly is still digging in its heels over the Ebbw Vale to Newport passenger train link. It intends that the service will first become operational to Cardiff despite overwhelming pressure from politicians, the public and the South Wales Argus Get Us Back on Track campaign.