WE have already stated in this column our belief that September's Nato summit has the potential to bring substantial benefits to Newport and the surrounding area.

Our view on that has not changed.

But today we focus on the potential disruption the Celtic Manor event could bring to the daily lives of the people of Newport.

Yesterday anarchists spoke of their plans to protest against the summit, which will bring up to 60 heads of state, including President Obama, to Newport.

Today we hear from the police chief in charge of the summit, who says it will be the biggest police and security operation ever seen in Wales with thousands of officers from every force in the UK involved.

Clearly a police presence on a massive scale and potentially disruptive - but hopefully lawful - protests could be a heady cocktail.

We understand and support the need for a huge security operation given the scale of the event.

We understand and support the desire among some to protest peacefully against Nato.

But that understanding and support will wear thin if the police operation or the protests prove an intolerable disruption for Newport people going about their daily lives.

People still have to get to work, their children still have to get to school, businesses still have to operate.

Ensuring this happens should be one of the key priorities of those in charge of the summit.