A PUB says it's business as usual despite violence on its first night which forced it to close early.

The new Wetherspoon's pub on Caradoc Road, Cwmbran, called the John Fielding after the town's Rorke's Drift hero, opened on Sunday afternoon.

But manager Andy Kempson was forced to shut just after 10pm after a violent incident outside.

A witness to the incident, who did not want to be named, told the Argus: "The pub was very busy, both inside and outside, and there was no sign of trouble.

"At about 10pm a small crowd of people gathered outside to watch an argument between an obviously drunk man and the bouncers. The man spat at and attempted to punch and kick the bouncers, and even threw a table and chair.

"The police arrived then and the bar stopped serving and closed very shortly after."

Cwmbran police were called to the scene and arrested one man for violent conduct. PC Darrell Dewar said: "The police did not exercise their powers to close the premises. The manager chose to close it himself at 10.10pm, shortly before the normal closing time."

A spokesman for Wetherspoon's said: "The pub opened yesterday and got off to a very busy start, but regrettably there was an incident in the evening when someone was arrested. We rely on our managers to make sure the safety of our customers is paramount and we back him all the way on his decision.

"It seems common sense to shut the pub and we'll hopefully get back to normal straight away.

"Wetherspoon's has a very good reputation as being a safe place to drink but obviously problems do occur."

Last week police revealed plans to apply for a dispersal notice to combat anti-social gangs in the town centre. But Evelyn Winfield, leader of Cwmbran community council, doesn't think the new pub will add to the town centre's problems.

She said: "The Moonraker was there for years and years so I don't think there should be a problem. "

"This is just very bad luck for Wetherspoon's but I think the pub is an added attraction and I think that it's proof that we're moving on in Cwmbran."