MONMOUTHSHIRE will become a cultural wasteland under funding cuts announced by the Arts Council of Wales, warned Monmouth MP David Davies.

A total of 32 organisations across Wales will see their funding stopped next April, following a spending review.

Among the groups affected are Usk-based Dance Blast, as well as Gwent Theatre and the Borough Theatre in Abergavenny.

"I fully appreciate that the Arts Council of Wales faces similar challenges to the rest of the public sector in trying to reduce its costs to an acceptable level," said Mr Davies.