WELSH communists are due to launch their manifesto today promising an alternative to pro-big business policies.

Lecturer Robert Griffiths, general secretary of the Communist Party of Britain, will launch the document at the Cardiff centre for trade union studies.

Normally a tutor in economics and trade union studies at University of Wales College Newport, Mr Griffiths is throwing his election hat in to the crowded ring at Newport East.

The seat has seven candidates already declared, with the UK Independence and Socialist Labour parties also joining the main four parties.

Key policies included in the communist manifesto are: lEconomic plan for Wales focusing on local and co-operative enterprise and protection of the environment;

Making the Assembly a "real parliament for Wales", with law making and tax raising powers;

An end to PFI and other schemes which encourage private companies to work in the public sector;

Investment in education, health, transport, housing and care for the elderly;

Re-nationalising the steel industry, rail and the public utilities;

Rejection of the Britain joining the Euro.

Mr Griffiths said: "We will be setting out to show there is a real alternative to right-wing, pro-big business policies.

The manifesto was due to be launched simultaneously on-line at www.welshcommunists.co.uk. The party are putting up two candidates in Wales.

As well as Mr Griffiths, in Newport East, former construction worker Glyn Davies is standing in Alyn and Deeside. Both are steel communities, hit hard by the recent redundancies announced by Corus. Today's launch is not quite the last manifesto to hit the streets.

The UK Independence Party are expected to unveil their policy proposals in Wales next week.