A MAINDEE man has died and a woman is seriously ill, triggering police fears that a rogue batch of heroin may be in circulation.

The 38-year-old man from the Maindee area of Newport was found dead this afternoon.

A 43-year-old woman from the same area is in the Royal Gwent Hospital, seriously ill.

Police say their investigation is in the early stages and it has not yet been confirmed whether contaminated heroin was the cause of the man's death.

But they are warning drug users in the area of the potential risk.

A spokeswoman said: "We are concerned and would urge any illicit drug users to exercise particular caution at this time."