How many of us really know what that statue outside Starbucks in the city centre is all about?

Well, to help us understand the important history of the area, a special team of consultants is looking at how Newport can increase awareness of its place in the history of the foundation of modern day democracy.

A total of £15,000 worth of grants has been secured by the tourism department of Newport City Council, which will be used to fund a study into the Chartists and their importance to the area.

Grants of £5,000 have been secured from European Newport Community, Capital Region Tourism, and Five Counties Tourism to cover the costs of the study. The cabinet member for development and employment, Councillor Erryl Heath, said: "The purpose of the study is to produce an action plan of how to maximise the benefits of Chartism in Newport and the surrounding area. "It will look at how we can boost cultural and heritage tourism connected with Chartism, and the community development and economic regeneration benefits this would bring. "It is proposed that the final scheme could even work with local schools, to increase local knowledge of the Chartists."

Tenders are currently going out to consultants, with the study expected to be completed by the end of the year.