Police officer faces fraud charge

A superintendent with South Wales Police and his wife have appeared before Cardiff magistrates charged with conspiracy to defraud.

Supt Michael David Hurn and his wife Jennifer were arrested at their Cardiff home.

They have been bailed to re-appear at court on 19 May, 2000.

The arrests were made as part of a South Wales Police inquiry which began in 1996. Supt Hurn was been suspended from duty in September 1997.

---

Inspector praises pupils' literacy

A council in a deprived area of south Wales has been praised by inspectors for its work in improving pupils' literacy.

Rates of improvement in English in schools in Merthyr Tydfil are significantly higher than anywhere else in Wales, according to the inspection body Estyn.

Despite performance being below other schools in Wales, the Chief Inspector of Schools, Susan Lewis, praised the strategy in place and said it was an "encouraging report".

---

Jobs blow at motor factory

About 255 jobs are to go with the closure of a car components firm in Cardiff.

Alloy Wheels International confirmed the factory in the Whitchurch area of the city will close in July.

The plant has supplied wheels to many of the big manufacturers including Rolls Royce, BMW and Mercedes.

The South African-owned company blamed competition from Eastern Europe. Some job losses also likely at an associated plant in Taffs Well.

---

head

A Ceredigion-based pharmaceutical company is using hens eggs to develop an antidote that could save animals from potentially fatal snake bites.

MicroPharm Ltd, of Llandysul, has developed antibodies which act against the venom found in three common European vipers.

Hens are given a low dose of the snake venom, which causes them to produce the antibodies in the yolk of their eggs.

The company has received a prize in this year's Mid Wales Manufacturing and Ideas Challenge.

---

Museum of Wales praised

The National Musuem of Cardiff has been praised by a report into Britain's tourist attractions.

But the survey by the Consumers Association, described many of the 300 sites inspected, as "uninspiring" and "too expensive".

Buckingham Palace came bottom of the survey - it is described as sterile and inhuman.

Canterbury Cathedral is also singled out for criticism. It has been described as grasping - for making visitors leave via a gift shop.