A Gwent business is set to close its doors after its insurance rocketed because the building is made of the same material as New York's World Trade Center.

Abergavenny-based Minola Smoked Products is to shut on October 15 - 20 years to the day when it first opened.

The award-winning smokery has supplied smoked fish, poultry, game and cheeses to fine hotels and restaurants all over the UK and the world as well as running a mail order service.

One of only five traditional smokeries in the UK, among its clients are the renowned Park Lane Hotel in London, and The Runnymede Hotel at Windsor.

But owner Hugh Forestier-Walker said he has been left with no option but to close the popular smokery because of insurance costs which make the business no longer viable.

He explained how the smokery building was made from steel and polystyrene panels similar to those used in the construction of New York's World Trade Center.

"The panels don't stand up well to fire," he said. "And after what happened on September 11, the fire authorities decided that if there was a fire, unless life was at risk they would just damp down the building as it would be too risky to send people in.

"As a result insurance costs have risen so much that we can't afford to go on."

He added that it would not be financially viable to take down the building and re-build it.

The news comes as the smokery took part in the Abergavenny Food Festival and after receiving three silver and two bronze awards at this year's Great Taste Awards.

Its nine staff and loyal customers are said to be 'saddened'.

In a letter to customers Mr Forestier-Walker says: "Recent official environmental and regulatory constraints, imposed beyond our control, have given us no alternative but to close the smokery. We must thank our customers for their unstinting support."