The South Wales Argus produced a special issue – and a new name for one of itseditions – to mark the Queen’s decision to make Newport a city.

An editorial operation planned weeks in advance swung into action late onWednesday when the newsroom received early warning that Newport was to become tenewest city in Wales.

A poster-style front page featuring an aerial photograph of Newport and theheadline ‘Newport New City’ was designed and four pages of news and reactionprepared.

And the Argus’ third edition, circulating solely in Newport, has been renamed’City Final’.

Camera crews from BBC Wales and HTV filmed the newly-named edition coming offthe press.

Argus editor Gerry Keighley was a key member of Newport’s city status bidcommittee.

He said: “This is an historic day for Newport and we wanted to treat it as such.

“We felt very confident Newport would win and I am sure the announcement will begood for local people and local businesses.

“There are massive economic benefits to be reaped and that will now be the focusfor the city of Newport.

“Today’s news is the beginning rather than the end of the city status processfor Newport.”

The Queen is to visit Newport as part of her Golden Jubilee tour in June.

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