NEWPORT council is raising funds by selling advertising on its streetlights.

In a Wales-wide first, the city council struck a deal with a company called Streetbroadcast to install new lampposts with integrated advertising panels.

And the council is set to split the profits from the adverts with the firm. There are currently 18 across the city in places like Cardiff Road and Caerleon Road, and another 12 are on their way.

The lampposts with built-in panels the size of bus shelter adverts are paid for by Streetbroadcast and cost more than £2,000 each.

Once they are in place, the company sells space on the boards to local and national advertisers.

Every year, Newport city council will get a share of the money raised by selling the space.

Lee Arthur, founder of Streetbroadcast said: "The councils can make anything from £500 to over £1,000 a year for every lamppost.

"Usually they use the income for road improvements or to fund the replacement of other lighting."

Any advertising space which goes unsold can also be used by the council for public messages, council or safety notices.

Tina Geard, aged 50, a secretary from St Julians in Newport, said she had noticed the new signs and she felt they were a big improvement on the big, poster-type hoardings. "They are easier to see and hopefully they won't get vandalised."

The double-sided boards are put up in carefully-selected commercial areas after safety and planning checks.