NEWPORTONIANS are welcoming news they will be able to buy the well known sites of the city later this year when its own version of Monopoly is released.

The board game will be released to coincide with Newport's hosting of the NATO summit at Celtic Manor in September.

The public is being invited to make their suggestions for the game, which will feature 22 property landmarks from the city.

Bob Bright, the leader of Newport City Council, welcomed the idea and said it reflected how he was “very upbeat” about the future.

He said: “If it encourages people to take an interest in the city and the future then I’m all for it.

“I really do think we have turned the corner and we are going to make something of Newport.”

Katie Hillard, who works for Communities First in Maesglas, said she would definitely buy the game.

She said: “I’m really excited about it. I love Monopoly. I play it on my phone and my boyfriend goes mad at it.”

She suggested something in Caerleon, like its amphitheatre and Roman remains, would make a good site on the board.

Her colleague Katrice Perrin said: “I think the Gaer would be quite a good site. It’s got quite a bit of history.”

Paul Evans, who volunteers for Communities First, said he thought the Transporter Bridge and Rodney Parade would be suitable sites.

There are plans to customise Community Chest and Chance cards for the version of the game.

One planned forfeit for the game is to fine players for visiting Cardiff.

Public voting lines, including a Facebook page, will be opened soon so people can choose which landmarks they want on the game, although no date has been decided.

The game will be made by Winning Moves UK, who manufacture it on licence from board game giant Hasbro.

Monopoly was first released in 1935 and it is estimated more than six billion green houses and two billion red houses have been made to accompany the game.

It is sold in 111 countries and played in 43 languages.

During World War Two, the British Secret Intelligence Service delivered special Monopoly sets to prisoners of war, who used maps, compasses and real money hidden in them to escape.