A MINUTE'S silence was held in Newport pubs last night in tribute to the four men who died when their car plunged into a river exactly a week before.

Drinkers at pubs across Maindee and the rest of Newport laid down their pints at 7.30pm, bowed their heads and thought for a moment of their absent friends.

Leighton Pring, 22, Anthony Hill, 35. Martin Biggs, 34, and 23-year-old Matthew Reardon all from Newport, drowned after their car plunged into the icy waters of the Usk after leaving the road between Caerleon and the St Julian's area of Newport.

Only Matthew Reardon's brother Kristian, 22, survived the crash.

All five men played for a pool team at the Carpenter's Arms, in Chepstow Road, Maindee, and were on their way home from a match at the time of the crash.

Landlord Keith Lawrence said: "They would have been playing at home tonight. We always take the pool table out for Christmas but we've taken it out early this year."

Byron Jones is a member of the Carpenter's pool team. He said: "All the boys that were in that team loved pool and always had a laugh. I can't believe it. It could have been any of us. We're absolutely stunned.

"All the boys in other teams have sent cards and wreaths. Kristian has popped in with a few mates but he's finding it very hard to take."

Other pubs involved in the league, including last week's opponents the Drover's Arms, have cancelled their games as a mark of respect to the four men who lost their lives. Newport and District pool league chairman Roger Gallagher said: "I expect everyone respected the silence.

"There are a lot of teams that have cancelled games which they have every right to do - about six or seven have done that.

"We're a family really, not a league, and the Carpenter's team were a good bunch of lads. Our hearts go out to their families and friends tonight."

Leighton Pring was buried on Friday and Anthony Hill was buried at Danycraig Cemetery in Risca on Saturday.

The funerals of Martin Biggs and Matthew Reardon are due to take place on December 27.

The Argus is not attending the funerals of the victims at the request of the families.