One angry parent, Heather Saunders, said on Monday that she could not believe children aged eight to eleven years were not allowed to attend the playscheme.

Figures obtained by The Beacon show that the playscheme in Abergavenny is attended by 80 youngsters. Similar numbers attend the schemes at Caldicot and Chepstow, while Usk and Bulwark cater for 50 youngsters each.

At Monmouth Leisure Centre, just 24 youngsters are allowed to attend.

"We are the poor relations of Monmouthshire" said Mrs Saunders. "The playscheme in Monmouth is the most successful of all those held throughout the county, but children are being barred from attending".