Police catch 5mph getaway buggy

The Celtic Manor Resort has welcomed statesmen and celebrities

Police did not have too much trouble catching a stolen vehicle making a getaway from one of Wales' top hotels.

Not surprising really, as it was a "courtesy buggy" - similar to a golf cart - doing 5mph on the main road from the Celtic Manor Resort at Newport.

Gwent Police received several calls from motorists who saw two men in the buggy on the A449 on Friday night.

The Celtic Manor said it was unusual, as the resort had tight security. Police said two men were arrested.

Officers were alerted at about 1930 BST on Friday to the incident.

The seven-seater buggy in hotel livery normally used to ferry guests around the resort site was intercepted on the road.

Two men ran into nearby woods and were arrested shortly after walking on the A449 towards Newport.

A Celtic Manor spokesman confirmed a buggy was taken off the resort's grounds, and recovered by police.

The golf helps attract many visitors to the Celtic Manor

"This sort of thing is particularly unusual", said the spokesman.

"We have very tight security around the resort."

The venue is owned by Wales' richest man, electronics billionaire Sir Terry Matthews, and regularly hosts high-profile events.

Recently these have included a summit of European foreign ministers, and a European-American celebrity golf tournament featuring stars such as Catherine Zeta-Jones, Michael Douglas, Boris Becker and Ronan Keating, which was the idea of TV presenters Ant and Dec.

The resort will also host golf's Ryder Cup in 2010.

Police said two men were due to be questioned.