TORFAEN AM Lynne Neagle has called for greater investment in sport in her area as part of the Assembly's drive to promote healthier lifestyles.

Speaking at the Assembly's health committee meeting this week, Labour's Ms Neagle highlighted figures from the Sports Council that show Torfaen has the fourth lowest participation rate of all local authorities in Wales.

She pressed health minister Jane Hutt for more investment during the committee's discussions on the newly published Healthy Lifestyles Action Plan.

Ms Neagle said later: "The figures show that Torfaen, along with other valley areas, is far below the national average for participation in sport.

"More funding is clearly needed to develop grassroots sport. If we do not target greater resources at the areas with the greatest need then we will not meet our pledge to encourage more people to get involved in sport and to take more exercise more generally.

"Investment is needed to help develop more structured and organised sport, as well as improving the facilities and the state of school sport.

"It is unacceptable that, right across the board, it is in areas like Torfaen that people are missing out on the opportunity to get involved in sport."