GWENT Police will close the front desks of all its stations bar five by this summer, a union said today.

Unison branch secretary for Gwent Police, Linda Sweet, said only Newport central station, along with stations in Cwmbran, Blackwood, Ebbw Vale and Abergavenny will still have a member of staff on the front desk after July 1.

Newport will be open 24 hours a day, but the other four will have opening hours of 8am - 8pm, Mrs Sweet said.

The people employed to run the front desks, members of Gwent Police's civilian staff, have been put on the re-deployment list to find them another job within the force, Mrs Sweet added.

This is the equivalent of 18 full-time positions. Gwent Police have been asked to comment, but have yet to respond.