A GWENT castle could shut for half the year under controversial council cuts.

Under the proposal, Caldicot's medieval castle, which attracted 35,000 visitors last year, would open for just six months a year.

It is currently open March to October.

Conservative-controlled Monmouthshire county council plans to axe a month from either end of the season, meaning it will open from April until the end of September.

It will form part of a series of museum service cuts across the county, amounting to a estimated saving of £100,000.

Monmouthshire council also runs Abergavenny castle, but it is unclear why Caldicot's is the only castle affected by the cuts.

Based on last year's figures the extra months of closure would mean Caldicot castle losing out on more than 6,000 visitors.

Castle development officer Anita Badhan said 11 council staff are employed at the castle, including seven seasonal custodians who will have their hours slashed under the proposals.

Community leaders slammed the move saying it would devastate the town as a tourist destination.

Independent councillor James Harris said: "We should be promoting our tourism and heritage, not shutting it down."

He said the castle, which is set in 55 acres of country park, attracted people to the town, who then spent their money in shops and pubs.

"Caldicot is struggling as a town, but this brings people in. We should be moving forward, not back," he said.

Plaid Cymru councillor Dave Ashwin said: "We are trying to put Caldicot on the map.

"This would be terrible for us."

He blames the cost-cutting move on last year's budget overspend.

Councillor Ashwin said the news was particularly upsetting because there were plans to install floodlighting to illuminate the castle at night to improve the attraction.

Council leader Andrew Crump (pictured) admitted the authority was considering cutbacks which would mean the castle opening for just six months a year.

"There isn't a huge amount of people using it throughout the winter."

He denied suggestions it would harm the town's tourism industry.

"It's hardly going to have any effect on the tourism of the town in future, if people aren't using it now," he said.

The castle was built by the Normans and developed by Royalist stronghold in the Middle Ages.

It was restored as a Victorian family home and boasts impressive banqueting rooms.