CAMPAIGNERS fighting against the housing of sex offenders at Prescoed prison are calling on their MP to put pressure on the Government - or face losing his seat.

The Usk and Communities Action Group say Monmouth MP Huw Edwards could pay the price for his Government's policy of sending sex offenders to the open prison near Usk.

Since September last year, sex offenders regarded as'low risk' have been transferred to Prescoed to help integrate them back into the community.

But in October there was outrage when child rapist Robert Neil Stokes walked out of the prison and was missing for almost 24 hours.

Now Paul Starling, chairman of the Usk and Communities Action Group, has called on Mr Edwards to put pressure on the Home Office to reverse the policy.

Mr Starling said: "There is overwhelming opposition to this policy.

"If the Government refuses to listen to what the public says and continue to impose their will there will be a backlash which will lose Huw Edwards his seat.

"It's not a party political point, we can't get away from the fact that this Government is imposing this policy. It is up to Huw Edwards to do everything in his power to overturn it. It is what he was elected to do.

"If the Government doesn't admit it got it wrong on this issue, it will pay the price."

Over the past few months residents have staged a number of high-profile protests against the policy and more than 16,500 people have signed a petition calling for its end.

In protest traders in Usk have also withdrawn from a scheme offering work placements to prisoners.

Huw Edwards said: "I have been in touch with the children's commissioner for Wales, met with the minister responsible for prisons and am raising parliamentary questions on the issue.

"I am doing my best to represent people's concerns and get this policy reversed." David Davies, Monmouth AM said he had supported the campaign and along with Huw Edwards and had attended a meeting with Home Office Minister Paul Goggins about the issue.

He said: "I support the work of the campaign trying to get this policy reversed.