NEWPORT'S civic service took place today] amid continued controversy at the scrapping of the annual mayor's parade.

Around 500 people, including retired members of the armed forces, attended the service at Newport Cathedral.

But while the service would be normally followed by the parade, this year it has not taken place due to cost.

A sermon was conducted by the mayor's chaplain, Reverend Kevin Lake, Vicar of Caerleon – and both Newport council leader Cllr Bob Bright and the mayor Cliff Suller contributed to the service.

A cross party group of politicians attended but two Tories took to Twitter to express dismay at the lack of a march.

Cllr Matthew Evans, leader of the Newport Tory group, said a "number of ex-servicemen expressed disappointment in not being able to march today, a view I have great deal of sympathy with".

Tory AM William Graham tweeted that it was a "disgrace" there was no parade.

But Cllr Debbie Davies, Labour cabinet member for skills and work, said it was a "really good event".

"I would have liked a march but unfortunately that was the most expensive aspect of the civic ceremony," she said.

She said everyone at the civic service was invited to a hog roast at the civic centre afterwards.

The Argus reported in May that the council had cancelled the mayors parade because it couldn't afford it.

Councillors were told that the council needing to employ a registered company to handle traffic management, and that the event had proved expensive in recent years.