25 years ago

IT WAS announced that people in Newport could be paying £84 more in poll tax than the official Welsh Office forecast.

NEWPORT East MP Roy Hughes easily won a re-selection battle, beating off his first challengers in 22 years.

A raging flu epidemic was thought to have now peaked in Gwent and was on the wane. The virulent strain had caused 25 per cent of staff at the Royal Gwent Hospital to be off sick.

AN EMERGENCY investigation into the resurfacing work on the Severn Bridge was launched, as furious motorists battled ten-mile long tailbacks following the break up of the new surface being laid at a cost of £9million