A YOUNG father has died after a confrontation with a gang of youths on Newport's Duffryn estate.

The man, Simon Gibbons, from Swallow Way, Duffryn, was involved in a fracas with a gang of more than ten youths on Wednesday night after they apparently threw stones at his car.

A number of eyewitnesses told police that he stopped his blue Ford Escort at Tredegar House Drive, opposite Mallard Way and Sandpiper Way.

There was a tussle and Mr Gibbons collapsed at the scene. Paramedics were called, and he was taken to Newport's Royal Gwent Hospital where he later died.

Gwent detectives were due to decide today whether to launch a murder inquiry into his death after a post mortem examination has been carried out establishing how he died. Detective Constable John Giles said the incident involved damage to a vehicle and happened at about 7.30pm.

He said: "A man aged 34 was involved in a dispute with local youths. "He collapsed at the side of his blue Ford Escort which was parked in the bus stop adjacent to Mallard Way.

"The man was treated on the road side by an ambulance crew and was taken to hospital where he subsequently died."

Police, who were called to the scene by the ambulance crew, say the gang of youths were aged between 14 and 17 and were made up of both boys and girls.

Mr Gibbons' next-door neighbour in Swallow Way, Mary Morgan, 60, said: "I'm shocked and can't believe it's happened, he was a good neighbour."

She said Mr Gibbons had a young daughter and son who live in the Manchester area. Mrs Morgan said: "He loved his children and they used to visit on weekends. "They are lovely kids and he used to save all his money to spend on them."

It is believed Mr Gibbons worked as a security guard and a bouncer. Councillor Garry Brown, who represents the Tredegar Park ward, one of the most deprived wards in Wales, called for the Duffryn estate to get together to combat its problems with anti-social behaviour from youths.

He said: "The whole community must start getting together to sort out these problems that erupt every so often and there must be a reason behind it.

"I had warned the kids here that someone was going to get injured or killed one day. "I am really sad for the family of Simon Gibbons."

Last night police officers were conducting house-to-house inquiries. Police are appealing for anyone with information about the incident or the identification of the youths to call 01633 245260.