VOTER apathy was identified by Monmouth's Labour parliamentary candidate Huw Edwards as his biggest threat at the forthcoming general election.

Mr Edwards' warning came as he was officially adopted by Labour party members as their parliamentary candidate.

Speaking at The King's Head Hotel, Usk, in front of around 30 Labour supporters and special guest Paul Murphy, Welsh Secretary of State, Mr Edwards warned against complacency for his fight to retain his parliamentary seat on June 7.

"My main concern is that on the doorstep people may be saying Tony Blair's bound to win.

"Our biggest enemy is going to be apathy and it is important we recognise it. The message has to be that the vote is out there, let's go and get it." Mr Edwards said he would be canvassing under the slogan "A lot's been done. There's lots to be done and there's a lot to lose."

Mr Edwards said education would continue to be a priority issue and stressed that Labour was investing in Monmouthshire schools.

"Education has been my priority in this area for the last four years. I visited Thornwell Infants School, Chepstow, recently and it has had £1 million- worth of new accommodation in the last two years alone."

He pledged to listen to and represent the whole of the county. "The last four years have been an extraordinary four years - it is an extraordinary county, so diverse.

"Whoever represents this area has to represent the interest of everyone."

Paying tribute to Mr Edwards' service to the people of Monmouthshire, Mr Murphy said: "Mr Edwards has been a first rate MP and will continue to be a first rate MP after the next election.

"It is my privilege to formally adopt Huw at this nomination meeting today."