A former south Wales councillor has been ordered to carry out 200 hours community service by magistrates.

Delwyn Davies was sentenced after he admitted seven charges of falsely claiming expenses, following a case that began with his arrest in 1998.

Newport magistrates were told that Dr Davies, a former Blaenau Gwent councillor, from Cwmtillery, near Abertillery, had been a local authority member for six years.

He had also served as chairman of the general purposes committee.

Mr Davies is the last of 12 Blaenau Gwent councillors to appear in court, following an investigation which began after two residents examined council records.

Detectives discovered that Mr Davies had made false overnight claims for stays in Glasgow and Scarborough.

The court was told that Mr Davies had lost his good character and standing as a politician.