CITY leaders have told hundreds of government workers who said they did not want to come to Newport. You don't know what you're missing.

ONS boss Len Cook also told how potential relocators were told not to judge Newport "by the drive from the station to our offices".

But council and business chiefs claim the city has not been snubbed by ONS staff and has plenty to offer workers.

Newport mayor, Councillor Paul Cockeram, said: "I can't believe anyone wouldn't want to relocate to Newport. Houses are reasonably priced, beautiful countryside is a ten-minute drive away and there's plenty to do and see.

"The whole riverfront area will be turned around by a new university campus, footbridge and dockland redevelopment.

"The new SDR road has improved a good road network. There's a new sports village and a new shopping centre on the way."

Newport Unlimited chief executive Graham Moore told the Argus the decision to make Newport the ONS national headquarters was in itself a major boost. He said: "The fact that 500 new posts are to be created locally can only be good news.

"The Newport of the near future, with an exciting shopping centre, quality housing, flagship leisure facilities, premium office spaces and beautiful landscaped areas, will be an enviable place in which to live, work and play."

He said that most of the ONS workers had good reasons for not uprooting and wanting to stay where they had settled.

For its part, Newport City Council says it has been actively promoting the area to potential relocatees.

A spokesman said: "There is a programme of familiarisation tours for potential relocatees and we have also contributed packs on education and housing for the information rooms the ONS has set up in its English offices."