ANGRY residents and business people are calling for the closure of a Newport night shelter for the homeless just a month after it opened its doors.

People living and working near the shelter in Maindee say they are suffering because of anti-social behaviour, which they attribute to people staying there.

NASH - Newport Action for Single Homeless - opened the hostel in a former chapel just off Chepstow Road to give refuge to rough sleepers by providing a bed, baths and food. Mother of four Mrs Dot Homan, whose home in Glebe Street is behind the shelter, has kept a diary of the problems residents have allegedly faced since it opened, including:

People loitering in an alley between Glebe Street and Chepstow Road, drinking and shouting.

Vomiting and urinating in public.

Three syringe needles being found in the streets.

She said some people were now too frightened to use the alley. She said: "I have lived here for four years and we never had any problems until last month. We get them queuing from 2pm and it doesn't open until 7.30pm."

She has collected more than 200 names on a petition calling for the closure of the shelter.

Jean Davis, of Jeffrey Street, said: "I had to go through the alley to Kwik Save and I was terrified. They were all sitting on the wall and shouted after me. Now I go around the long way."

Sergeant Tony Patey, of Maindee police station, confirmed needles had been found in the area, but said there was no evidence to suggest they had come from someone staying at the hostel.

He said: "We have had no calls to the hostel but we have had complaints from residents over anti-social behaviour."

Police were now consulting NASH, local councillors and residents over the issue, said Sgt Patey.

No-one was available for comment at NASH despite repeated attempts to contact them.

*PICTURED: Residents (from left) Dot Homan, Lesley Rogers and Jean Davies outside the night shelter.