THERE are five key arguments why Newport should be chosen as the next town to become a city over the other four contenders in Wales.

As the Argus reported yesterday, the town's bid for city status has its official launch on September 1.

But work is already in progress to promote the town's case - and these five key argu-ments are at the heart of the submission. They are:

* Newport is a real city - the largest town in Wales without city status.

* Newport is a royal and historic city - Caerleon was one of the three original cities of Roman Britain and was the historic seat of the King of Gwent.

* Newport is a city of the future - the economic hub of the Welsh valleys and one of the fastest-growing areas in the UK.

* Newport is a sporting city - the Welsh capital of golf, the future home of the national velodrome, a thriving speedway and Wales' leading rugby club.

* City status will mean a lot to Newport - it will recognise Newport's historic past and our aspirations for the future, and help underline its strategic economic and cultural importance.

You can sign up in support of these arguments by signing one of the 20,000 pledge cards which will be handed out throughout Newport's bid to become a city over the coming weeks.

The City Status Bid committee argues Newport is already A Real City, in all but name.

With a population of 137,000, Newport is the third largest urban area in Wales after the cities of Cardiff and Swansea.

Malcolm Hall, director of Newport Town Centre Partnership and member of the committee, said: "Newport is bigger than Cambridge, Exeter and Chester and it's got its own cathedral and university.

"In addition to that, we've got the Royal Gwent Hospital, which is the main hospital for the region, and the law courts, which are the main judicial centre for the area.

"Obviously the town centre is of regional importance to the Newport catchment area, including the Valleys.

"Having been a city centre manager in Coventry, I can see Newport town centre is on a similar scale to that and has got the feel and the buzz of a city.

"A long time ago, a city used to be based on whether it had a cathedral, and St Woolos Cathedral has been here for some time.

"Apart from being such a large town, I believe Newport is a real city now and just needs the title putting on it.

"We are keen to attract new investment, that's ongoing, and city status will help us achieve that and create new jobs."