THE long and winding road lies ahead of Iranian-born woman Mahin. Today, she continues her hard pilgrimage through Newport as concern grows for her welfare.

Local people fear for the woman who moves her possessions just 15 feet every day in her gruelling trek to London to visit her children.

Weeks ago, we revealed Mahin's plight when she reached Marshfield from Cardiff, where she had begun her journey two years ago.

She has now reached Tredegar Park roundabout, where she sits with her white cat tied to her waist with string.

Residents from the area are continuing to give her food, tobacco and coffee, and some have expressed concern for her welfare as the colder weather draws in.

Bob Barry works at the Duffryn Community Link near to where she now sits, and said residents are concerned for her well being.

He said: "A lot of people have sympathy for her. I don't know how much they've been to seen her but people do feel sorry for her. She's in a horrible position and I think people worry if she's OK."

A spokeswoman for Gwent police said officers were unable to help unless Mahin was willing to accept it.

She said: "We're here if she needs us, but cannot do anything unless she asks us to. Once she starts to enter the built-up areas of Newport we can approach her and chat to her. But beyond trying to engage with her we cannot do a lot. It may be that she's less vulnerable in the built-up areas, because people can keep an eye on her there."