CRICKET fans in Gwent are being warned that if they bunk off work to watch the crunch Ashes finale it could put their jobs in jeopardy.

Bosses are expected to take a tough stance after business experts warned there could be a rise in sick days during the final five-day match between England and Australia which starts tomorrow.

They say that because cricket mania has reached fever pitch people could be more prone to watching TV coverage at home.

A spokesman for Newport city council said action would be taken against any of its 7,500 staff if they were found to have taken a sickie to watch the cricket.

"We would look at each case individually, but they would be subject to a disciplinary procedure," she said. "It would constitute a misrecording of working time and abuse of sick leave procedures."

A spokesman for the Office of National Statistics, which employs around 1,300 people in Cardiff Road, Newport, said anyone found guilty of skiving could have their pay docked.

"Unauthorised absence with no acceptable reason is serious misconduct," he said. "People's pay will be docked for the time they were not working."

Entrepreneur Iftekhar Harris, 37, who owns a string of bars and restaurants, said he would also come down hard on any of his 40 staff if they faked illness.

"I would take disciplinary action against them," he said. "I would try to accommodate people by giving them time off if they asked."

Business experts are encouraging bosses to adopt a flexible approach.

Sara Powell, of Cwmbran call centre Dial, which employs 300 people, said:"The cricket has gripped the nation and staff will be able to watch all the action on screens throughout the centre," she said.

Richard Lawson, of the Federation for Small Businesses, said it was in the employer's interest to accommodate cricket fans.

"There could be a rise in the number of sick days, especially if there is a nail-biting climax," he said.

"So it's in the employer's interest to accommodate them to help the working relationship."

David Russ, chief executive of the Newport Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said he did not believe members were aware of the impact the match could have.

"I think a wise employer will probably do something to allow staff to follow the match," he said.