A LOCUM GP whose contract was controversially not rene-wed has accepted a job as a police surgeon.

Dr George Skea will be working for Dyfed Powys Police after leaving Abertillery's Bridge Health Centre last month.

Blaenau Gwent Local Health Board's decision not to extend Dr George Skea's contract in June caused a storm of protest among his patients. He was replaced by another locum, doctor Dr A O Aselumo, on a three-month contract.

Some of the patients took to the streets of the town to march on the LHB headquarters and presented a 1,000 name petition in support of the popular doctor.

At a heated public meeting in July, the LHB's chief executive Joanne Absalom was given a torrid time by the patients who demanded Dr Skea's reinstatement.

Ms Absalom said the plans for the Heads of the Valleys Resource Centre would bring a well-qualified salaried GP to the area and a link to bring in trainee doctors.

Yesterday Dr Skea told the Argus he was forced to leave the Valleys after accepting a job with Dyfed-Powys Police as a police surgeon.

Originally from Scotland, and a father-of-one, Dr Skea has spent the last 11 years in Wales, eight of those as a GP in the Gwent Valleys, and calls Gilwern home although his new job may mean he may have to move.

He paid tribute to the Abertillery patients who supported him, and said: "I feel quite humbled and gratified about what they have done for me - it brings a lump to the throat.

"The people of the Valleys are the salt of the earth and I think they are great people."

He said fears of his and his family's financial security meant he had to look to make a move.

He said: "I've got to have secure employment. I've not been sleeping with worrying and so many things have been going through my head. "I've got to have job so that I'm able to pay the bills and if I want to work as a GP then I'm going to have to leave Wales."