THE announced closure of Wales' only forensic science service laboratory was condemned as a "massive blow" and a "travesty" yesterday.

The lab will close in Spring 2011, with most operations stopping in December next year.

The decision to close three FSS labs across the UK - Chepstow, Chorley and Brimingham - was taken by the Home Office to increase efficiency and to meet the "challenges of an emerging private forensics market."

The restructure will see services spread out across four of the current seven sites in London, Cambridgeshire, the Midlands and Yorkshire and will focus on crime type rather than geography.

Workers from Chepstow may be offered jobs at these sites.

Prospect, the union representing the lab's 168 employees at Chepstow said the closure was a "travesty that will decimate the ability of the service to analyse current levels of criminal evidence and leave expanses of England and Wales without public sector forensic cover".

Workers were told the news at a presentation at nearby Chepstow Racecourse.

One employee, who has worked at the lab for more than 20 years said: "I felt resignation to start with, then shock. But now I really just feel disappointment and sadness that after all this time we have no value."

The Usk Road lab is credited for its work on some of Gwent's biggest crimes including the investigation into the murder of a Vietnamese man who was left for dead outside the Royal Gwent Hospital.

Monmouth MP David Davies said the news was a massive blow to the highly skilled workforce and is concerned about the impact the closure will have on bringing criminals to justice.

Newport Jessica Morden MP said she was "bitterly disappointed."

But Mike German AM said Welsh police must act now to retain a forensic service in Wales. He said: “Welsh police forces got themselves involved in a contract with forces around the UK resulting in the Chepstow lab losing work."

"However, the contract is coming up for renewal next year and there is a real opportunity for Welsh police forces to act together and retain a forensic service in Wales."

Chief Executive of the Gwent Police Authority Shelley Bosson said the move was regrettable.

But she added: "I am assured by the chief constable that it would not affect criminal justice in Gwent."