GWENT councillor Graham Powell has been charged with ten counts of theft and two of forgery, we can reveal.

It is believed that the allegations are in connection with one of the 77-year-old councillor's elderly relatives.

They are understood not to be connected with his position as councillor for the Severnside ward of Monmouthshire county council.

Councillor Powell (pictured) was arrested on the morning of June 12 at his home in Sandy Lane, Caldicot, and was released on bail until July 8.

His bail was then extended until Tuesday this week and further extended until Wednesday when he was charged at Newport central police station.

Detective Sergeant Bill Davies, of Cwmbran police, said: "A 77-year-old Caldicot man was charged at 8.30pm on Wednesday night with ten counts of theft and two counts of forgery."

DS Davies said the charges relate to the alleged theft of more than £24,700 in cash, in separate amounts ranging from £327 up to £3,700. Councillor Powell is expected to appear before Newport magistrates on July 31.

At the time of his arrest, Councillor Powell told the Argus: "All of the accusations made against me are totally untrue and I refute all of them." Graham Powell is the former leader of Monmouth-shire council and both the former leader and chairman of the old Gwent county council. A former railway guard, he also used to be a prominent member of Gwent police authority.

He has been in local politics for more than 40 years and a representative on parish and district councils for 55 years.

He was elected as chairman of Gwent county council in 1980 and was leader of Monmouthshire council between 1995 and 1997 when he was replaced by Councillor Viv Thomas in a coup described by the Argus as "the night of the long knives".