A PLEA for parents to keep children away from construction work on Newport's new road has angered the grandfather of a schoolboy injured while playing there.

Ben Edwards, aged eight, (pictured with grandparents Donald and Audrey Brown) suffered burns to his legs while playing near the route of the planned Southern Distributor Road at Brain Close, Ringland, last month.

The consortium behind the road, Morgan Vinci, last week appealed through the Argus for parents to help them ensure youngsters stayed safe in the summer holidays. Ben's grandfather, Donald Brown, told the Argus his grandson was not doing anything wrong and the grassy area where Ben was playing has been used by children for more than 40 years.

Mr Brown spoke out this week, after his grandson was taken to hospital on July 24. Ben was building a den when he was burned. A hammer slipped out of his friend's hand, which struck a stone which hit an exposed electrical cable. Ben was hit by a spark. The cable contained enough electricity to power 90 houses.

The Health and Safety Executive is investigating the incident and police were informed. Ben was kept in overnight at the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport, but he was not seriously injured.

He was playing with friends on a piece of open ground where infrastructural construction work was being carried out.

Mr Brown said: "Ben is recovering well from the injuries to his leg and he has been away on holiday in Cornwall. He has had a bit of a shock but he is all right now."

Mr Brown believes that comments made by contractors in the Argus last week, that children faced hazards if they "trespassed" on the site, implied his grandson had been doing something wrong.

Morgan Vinci, which is building the £55m road, said after the incident: "As a consortium we are totally committed to safety and we cannot emphasise strongly enough the hazards facing children who trespass on to sites."

A spokesman added yesterday: "A report on the incident, including details from the police and from our own site team, has been submitted to the Health and Safety Executive, which is the final arbiter in these cases. "We are awaiting a response."