A FERRYSIDE couple have had to be cut free from their 4x4 vehicle after it crashed into the village's White Lion pub.

Witnesses said the couple were travelling from the Llansaint direction, towards the village square when the vehicle — described as being a 4x4 by the pub landlord — collided with the side of the building.

People rushed to the aid of the couple, who live in the village, and the emergency services were called.

White Lion landlord Dave Pointon said he was with a friend at the bar drinking tea when the crash rocked the pub at 10.33am on Tuesday.

He added: "I thought the chimney had collapsed and went straight upstairs but everything was fine.

"It wasn't until we went outside and saw people around the vehicle, they were trying to help and were talking to them both to keep them calm as they were both conscious.

"People who saw it happen went over straight away to them. The car was all crumpled at the front, a real mess."

"Everyone is hoping they are on the mend soon, it was a shock for everyone in the village."

Fire crews from Carmarthen and Kidwelly were on the scene and used hydraulic cutting equipment to free the couple. Firefighters remained on the village square at the pub for two hours following the crash

A spokesman for the Welsh Ambulance Service said: "Two patients were taken to hospital, with minor injuries."

The pub is expected to be closed for a few days while repairs are undertaken.

The couple's family who also live in the village did not wish to comment.

IAN Evans faces a race to be fit for the start of the Six Nations after being ruled out for up to eight weeks with the knee injury he sustained during Wales's autumn series.

The 25-cap lock will miss the remainder of the Ospreys' pool matches in this term's Heineken Cup after undergoing keyhole surgery.

And the clock is ticking for him to make Wales's Six Nations opener against Ireland at the Millennium Stadium on February 2 — eight weeks tomorrow.

Ospreys head physio Chris Towers said: "Ian has been troubled by an ongoing problem with his right knee since being unable to complete the Samoa game last month.

"Investigations and consultations with specialists have resulted in him undergoing a keyhole procedure, as a result of which he will be sidelined for six to eight weeks."

It is hardly news Rob Howley would have wanted to hear as he looks ahead to the championship, with Alun Wyn Jones also poised to miss the opening games, in his case because of a shoulder injury.

The Ospreys are likely to pair Ian Gough and James King at lock in their Heineken Cup match in Toulouse tomorrow, while former All Black tight-head Campbell Johnstone is set for his regional debut, just four days after meeting players at the Liberty for the first time.

Johnstone has been drafted in because of injuries to Adam Jones, Aaron Jarvis and Joe Rees.

"It's been an interesting few days," said the New Zealander.

"I'm pretty excited about everything, a little nervous if I'm honest. It's a big game for the Ospreys on Saturday and a big one for me personally, coming in at a few days' notice.

"There's been a bit of bad luck here with tight-heads — I hope it doesn't continue. It's important for the team that the guys come back from injury quickly so the team can get back up to full strength quickly. In the meantime I'll do what I can to fill that gap as best I can."

Johnstone, who spent four years at Biarritz before leaving last summer, acknowledged his call from the Ospreys had come out of the blue.

"I was enjoying a bit of quality time in Spain when the opportunity came up," he said. "It was a bit of a shock, I never expected to be rolling up in Toulouse with the Ospreys for such a big match. I'm looking forward to it.

"You could say it's a big game to be thrown into, but we'll see how it goes."

MARK ORDERS

WORKERS at a Port Talbot factory are under threat of compulsory redundancy.

Around 140 Remploy workers at the Baglan factory and at the Porth site in the Rhondda could be out of work after the UK Government asked for "expressions of interest" from firms willing to take on the factories which employ people with disabilities.

Neath MP Peter Hain has labelled the news as a "real body blow for area" while Aberavon's MP and AM Hywel Francis and David Rees have both called for urgent talks. The Baglan plant, which employs around 70 people, and the Porth site are the last of two Remploy factories in Wales after a series of closures.

More than 40 disabled people lost their jobs when the Fforestfach furniture factory in Swansea closed at the end of August. The Bridgend site will close in March.

Remploy said its furniture business based at Baglan had the potential to be commercially viable, but currently makes significant losses.

In a statement, it said: "To achieve commercial viability it is likely that the business would require significant restructuring and downsizing of its operations.

"Remploy will market this business as a prospective going concern but recognising that the current trading position of the business may ultimately result in no viable bids being received and that there may therefore be consequential redundancies and factory closures.

"All staff in this business are now at risk of redundancy."

A statement from the Welsh Government said it has asked the Minister for Disabled People Esther McVey to "devolve the funding, assets, land, buildings and contracts" of the two factories in Wales in order to create a viable social enterprise.

"Welsh Ministers have opposed factory closures from the start," said the statement.

"We have made it clear we do not believe that closing the factories will improve the lives of disabled people and we will be discussing our objections to DWP's announcement as a matter of urgency." Miss McVey said the announcement was made just weeks before Christmas as "it was only right for the people to know as soon as I knew".

She added: "Nothing will happen today, there will be a three month consultation period.

"People will put in bids, interests and ideas. After that there will be another one month consultation."

She added that all employees affected by the changes will be supported by an £8 million support package which will help them with their CV's and help them get back into work.

In a joint statement Aberavon's MP and AM, Hywel Francis and David Rees, said: "We support the call for management and unions at Remploy to back Welsh Government Minister, Leighton Andrews in his call for the devolution of all Remploy assets, budgets, buildings and land for the two Welsh Remploy plants at Baglan and Porth in the Rhondda. We will shortly be meeting unions and management to urge them to work together on a social enterprise at Baglan in partnership with the Welsh Government and the Wales Cooperative Centre."

Mr Hain said they were "throwing disabled workers to the wolves".

He said: "There is never a good time for an announcement like this but coming just days before Christmas and so soon after the Tata Steel announcement this is a real body blow for the area."

MICHAEL Laudrup has suggested it would take £30 million to prise Michu away from Swansea City in January.

And the Swansea boss has also played down talk that he could be poached by a rival club — just like his three predecessors at the Liberty — if his team continue to shine in the Premier League.

"We are not going anywhere," Laudrup declared.

The Dane has been pressed on his own future amid fears that Swansea's success could see him targeted by other clubs.

And he has also faced a barrage of questions about Michu, the £2.2 million summer signing who is one of the most talked about players in the top flight right now.

Swansea's 11-goal leading scorer has been touted as a potential target for the likes of Arsenal and Napoli in the last few days after his sensational start to life on these shores.

"I have read about Michu this week and you ask about me, but we are here," Laudrup added.

"I am very happy here and I think Michu is happy here as well, so we just have to continue working.

"I know the reason why people talk, and that is because things are positive for the club right now.

"But we have to maintain focus. We can't start talking about what might happen next summer or whenever, we have to focus on what's happening right now."

Laudrup suggested when Swansea landed Michu from cash-strapped Rayo Vallecano in July that he would prove to be a bargain.

That looks an understatement now, for the 26-year-old is the joint leading scorer in the Premier League alongside Robin van Persie, Luis Suarez and Demba Ba — and that is despite the fact that he is happiest in midfield. And Laudrup has indicated that he believes Michu is worth around twice the £15 million Swansea received for Joe Allen earlier this year.

"Everybody talks about Michu right now and I understand that," Laudrup said.

"He is up there with Suarez and van Persie and a lot of clubs would like to sign him.

"I don't want to let him go, but obviously you can get an offer that is so big you have to accept it.

"But I really don't think anyone is going to pay so much money for him.

"I don't want to say the exact figure, but you have a good idea what Liverpool paid for Joe Allen.

"If they have to pay double for Michu — well there are very few clubs who could afford that. Joe is a very talented midfield player, so imagine what the cost would be for the top scorer in the Premier League."

If Michu's current form continues, there are sure to be more stories about a possible transfer in the lead-up to the winter transfer window.

But Laudrup stressed: "I don't worry about January because I don't think anyone will come in with the money Michu is worth so he will stay here.

"Obviously everybody wants to play at the best clubs so they can try the Champions League or whatever. If that should happen, if a club at that level pay the amounts we are talking about and the player wants to go, then you cannot do anything.

"But unless that happens, I don't see a problem.

"Michu's record so far this season is fantastic and we are just happy that we have a player who can score important goals."

Michu could spearhead Swansea once more against Norwich City tomorrow having started as their attacking midfielder in the win at Arsenal last weekend.

When asked about his own future, Laudrup added: "I am here, I have a contract, I am enjoying it and I want to stay here. All these questions now are because things are going well, but we just have to think about Norwich."

Full-back Ben Davies insists Premier League survival remains the priority for high-flying Swansea as they prepare to host Norwich at the Liberty Stadium.

The stunning 2-0 win at Arsenal last weekend has moved them up to seventh in the table and extended their recent good run to one defeat in 10 games.

Some supporters are even beginning to dream of European qualification, something which seemed unlikely when a poor run in September led to reports of dressing room unrest.

But Norwich are on their own fine run of form and are unbeaten in nine as they pick up steam following a slow start under boss Chris Hughton.

Davies, 19, says the fact the Canaries have enjoyed a sequence every bit as good as Swansea's means there is no chance of the visitors being under-estimated.

The Wales international has made it clear the home side's focus is on getting to 40 points as soon as possible, despite their excellent sequence of results.

"The confidence is very high in the group at the moment and that's just down to the way we're playing," he said.

"Some of the results we've got have been a massive boost, especially after beating West Brom and Arsenal, people are going to start raising their expectations.

"But as a group, our aim is still to reach 40 points and to stay in the league. The earlier we reach that, the further we can try to progress.

"I think it will be a difficult game against Norwich.

"We won't be taking it lightly and, as long as we can keep it solid at the back, I think we've got the quality up front to get goals."

The season has been a remarkable experience for teenager Davies, who joined Swansea's academy at the age of eight.

Davies had been expecting to play for the Under-21 side this season and hoping to push his way into manager Michael Laudrup's plans.

But the impression he made on the pre-season tour of the United States caught his manager's eye and he was included in the first-team squad.

Neil Taylor's broken ankle then thrust Davies into the starting line-up for club and country and he admits the last few months have been something of a whirlwind.

"It was disappointing to see Neil get injured, he's a good lad and it was horrible to see him get that injury," he said.

"But I didn't have time to worry about that. I was just thrust in and had to get my head on the game.

"There was no real anticipation of what was coming - I just had to get on the field and do my best and Michael Laudrup has put his faith in me to keep me in the team.

"It's kind of happened at a good time that I got my opportunity, when the club was at the highest level it could be.

"You've just got to do as well you can in every game that comes, and show what you can do."

Laudrup will not rush Michel Vorm and Pablo Hernandez back into his starting line-up.

Goalkeeper Vorm is back in training following a groin injury but is not ready to return to first-team action while Hernandez is still struggling with a thigh problem.

Wayne Routledge could return from an ankle knock which may see top scorer Michu again moved up front.

Hughton knows Norwich will have their work cut out to stop Swansea's exciting brand of football when they aim to go 10 games unbeaten.

The Canaries have flown up the Barclays Premier League table since the October international break, beating Arsenal and Manchester United at home as well as securing a place in the quarter-finals of the Capital One Cup.

However, Hughton knows that impressive form will be put to a severe test against Laudrup's side.

"There was a very good platform for Laudrup when he took over but he has tweaked the formation and brought in some very good players," Hughton told a press conference.

"I have been very impressed, not just with the run they are on, but also with the style they are playing which is an exciting brand of football, as well as anybody in this division.

"There have been no fluke results, they have earned them. It is not about one player, it is about the quality they have got.

"At this moment they are doing very well and all look real good [summer] purchases, particularly Michu, who is scoring the goals.

"We will have to make sure we are as resilient as possible but also have a threat ourselves."

Sebastien Bassong will be fit having hurt his knee during the 2-1 win over Sunderland last Sunday but fellow defender Michael Turner (shoulder) and on-loan striker Harry Kane (metatarsal) are missing.

JAMIE Roberts has become the latest Six Nations injury concern for Wales interim coach Rob Howley.

Just a couple of days after it was revealed that Ospreys lock Ian Evans is facing a battle to be fit for Wales's defence of the northern hemisphere showpiece, the Blues have said that their star centre is likely to be sidelined for up to six weeks.

The British Lions powerhouse hyper-extended his elbow during last weekend's defeat to Australia in Cardiff and as well as missing the majority of the Blues' Heineken Cup pool campaign, Roberts faces a race against the clock to prove his fitness ahead of the Six Nations opener against Ireland in Cardiff on February 2.

The Blues, meanwhile, will take on Montpellier at the Arms Park tomorrow minus Roberts, Leigh Halfpenny and Bradley Davies.

And it is a similar tale across the three Welsh regions competing in the Heineken Cup this weekend in the wake of Wales's bruising autumn series.

The Ospreys have travelled to Toulouse shorn of the services of skipper Alun Wyn Jones, hooker Richard Hibbard, second row Evans and prop Aaron Jarvis, who were all crocked during the bruising four-Test campaign.

And the Scarlets have also been hit hard. Back-rowers Josh Turnbull (knee) and Rob McCusker (ankle) are still on the recovery trail, while wing George North has been ruled out of this afternoon's clash with Exeter Chiefs because of a hip flexor problem.

Halfpenny is hoping to be playing again within six weeks as he nurses what the Blues have described as a 'stinger' injury, while Davies is expected to be back in training next Tuesday following his recovery from the concussion he received as a result of the hit by All Blacks hooker Andrew Hore.

Meanwhile, Howley as well as England coaches Andy Farrell and Graham Rowntree are set to be part of the British and Irish Lions coaching team for next summer's Australia tour, according to reports.

The identities of Gatland's support staff are due to be revealed at a press conference in Edinburgh next Wednesday. And there has so far been no official response from the Lions on potential roles for Farrell, Rowntree and Howley that were reported yesterday by BBC Radio 5 Live.

There would appear to be no place at this stage for Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards.

Forwards specialist Rowntree and backs coach Howley were part of the 2009 Lions coaching team in South Africa, but it would be a debut for ex-rugby league star Farrell.

Howley worked as Wales's interim head coach for their opening autumn Tests against Argentina and Samoa last month, and he will resume that job for this season's Six Nations championship while Wales chief Gatland concentrates full-time on Lions matters.

Howley (1997 and 2001) and Rowntree (2005) both toured with the Lions as players.

The tour begins against the Barbarians in Hong Kong on June 1 next year, with the first of three Tests against Australia taking place in Brisbane on June 22. The Lions have not won a Test series since they toured South Africa 15 years ago.

If Howley does head Down Under, forwards coach Robin McBryde will be the likely man to take charge of Wales's tour of Japan this summer.

McBryde was at the helm in 2009 in North America when Gatland was forwards coach with Ian McGeechan's Lions in South Africa.

Fly-half Quade Cooper has ended speculation surrounding his future by signing a new two-year deal with the Australian Rugby Union and Queensland.

Cooper, who will make his professional boxing debut in February, has been shrouded in controversy after publicly declaring the Wallabies had become a "toxic environment".

MATTHEW Stevens conceded he lost to the better player after suffering a quarter-final exit at the UK Championships in York.

Stevens, from Carmarthen, was beaten 6-4 by Mark Davis in a scrappy game at the Barbican, ending his best run in the competition since taking the title at the same venue in 2003.

Stevens had raced into a 2-0 lead but Davis, conqueror of world No. 3 John Higgins in the previous round, then showed the form that has seen him reach three semi-finals this year. The world No.1 6 made it 3-2 only for Stevens to respond and level things up.

However, Davis proved more clinical thereafter, and took advantage of Steven's profligacy to ensure a semi-final berth.

"He deserved it," admitted 35-year-old Stevens. "I started off well and went 2-0 up but he responded really well in the next couple of frames. I made a good clearance to come back to 3-3 and thought that might have been the turning point but all credit to Mark for the way he played.

"I missed a few balls, and had a couple of kicks which could have turned it around, but to be fair I didn't deserve to win."

A convincing 6-1 first-round victory over Dominic Dale and subsequent 6-4 second-round success against Marco Fu had allowed Stevens to remind himself of his victory here nine years ago. And the world No. 14 said he himself had started to believe he could go on and secure the second ranking title of his career.

"I did start to think it might happen, but at the same time you cannot take anything for granted," he added. "I'm pleased with my own form and I feel like I have played well but unfortunately I missed a few chances and Mark took advantage."

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JUST a handful of disabled factory workers have found jobs since the closure of a long established Swansea business.

Around 50 workers at the city's Remploy factory lost their jobs when the site shut down for good in August this year.

The closure followed a Government report which found funding could be used to maximise employment for disabled people through individual support rather than subsidising specific organisations like Remploy.

Neil Pearce spent 26 years working at the Remploy factory in Bruce Road in Fforestfach, Swansea, and is now in his ninth week of searching for work.

The 43-year-old lives in Llanrhidian in Gower and spends the majority of his time in a wheelchair.

He said: "There is not a lot of work around here.

"I'm going to be doing some courses soon to try to increase my chances through the job centre.

"Everybody who gets made compulsory redundant gets ReAct money.

"That money doesn't come straight to you.

"It is made available for training courses.

"I stopped work at Remploy on September 30, there's only three or four of the workers who have had jobs that I know of.

"I've been climbing the walls a bit, I've had a few leads but nothing really concrete."

Earlier this week around 140 workers at Remploy factories in Baglan and Porth were told their jobs were at risk as the Government began asking for expressions of interest from firms willing to take on the factories.

A spokesman for Remploy said the furniture business in Baglan has the potential to be commercially viable but currently makes significant losses.

He said: "All staff in this business are now at risk of redundancy."

Trades union convener Les Woodward will visit the factory on Monday to speak to workers.

He said: "What is happening is cruel, callous and vindictive."

FOR a team who conquered Arsenal at the Emirates just a week ago, Norwich may not present the most glamorous opposition for Swansea City today.

But for Ben Davies, a Premier League fixture of any sort is a far cry from the sparsely populated footballing outposts he visited as a boy.

A lifelong Swansea fan, Davies's childhood was littered with long journeys to watch his home club play at stadiums such as Moss Rose and Brisbane Road.

This was not the most exotic of introductions to the sport, but Davies was hooked.

Watching the Swans slogging their way past Southend and Scunthorpe inspired him to become a professional footballer, though he has fulfilled his ambitions in a different sporting universe.

"I remember going to Leyton Orient, Brentford — all the clubs where the Swans are a million miles from now," Davies says.

"I remember being at the final game at The Vetch against Shrewsbury and going to places like Port Vale. I'll always remember those days.

"I had good times going to those games, and now the away fans travelling to the Emirates and Old Trafford is a different world."

Davies has featured in all but one of Swansea's 15 Premier League matches this season, adapting remarkably well to the top flight having been thrust into the side after Neil Taylor broke his ankle in September.

Having dreamed of playing for the Swans at any level, no matter how low, the 19-year-old has already taken to the field against the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal.

"My aim was always to play for the first team here, whether that was in League Two or the Premier League," he says.

"It would have been a dream come true if my debut had come against Macclesfield as opposed to West Ham.

"It kind of happened at a good time that I got my opportunity, when the club was at the highest level it could be."

What is more startling than the scale of Davies's rise is the hurtling pace at which he has established himself as a first-team regular for Swansea.

When Norwich last visited the Liberty earlier this year, Davies would have watched the game from the stands with his fellow youth team players. Not anymore.

"It's all changed in a matter of months, and I'm starting to get used to it," Davies says, smiling as he tries to comprehend his new status.

"Last year I would've been playing in the reserve team, hoping to get a few senior games under my belt and maybe pushing for the first-team squad. Realistically, it was just playing for the reserves and hoping to impress the reserve team manager.

"We would just be watching the games in the stands. I was still a fan even when I was a part of the squad, wanting the club to do as well as they could."

Davies did not have any time to mull over his promotion to the first team, with Taylor's broken ankle leaving the teenager as the Swans' only fit left-back.

"It was disappointing to see Neil get injured — he's a good lad and it was horrible to see him get that injury," he adds.

"But I didn't have time to worry about that. I was just thrust in and had to get my head on the game.

"There was no real anticipation of what was coming — I just had to get on the field and do my best, and Michael Laudrup has put his faith in me to keep me in the team."

Davies may still be a Swans supporter at heart, though he has seldom looked overawed by his newfound standing as a team-mate to the players he once idolised. The teenager plays with composure and poise, an astute defender whose passing and crossing make him an increasingly effective outlet in attack.

He improves with every game and, as he does so, one can sense that confidence is coursing through his veins.

Davies's displays certainly caught the eye of Wales manager Chris Coleman, who gave the left-back his full international debut against Scotland in October — after just four Premier League starts.

As he has done with Swansea, Davies took to national service with aplomb and was rewarded with a second full 90 minutes in another World Cup qualifier against Croatia.

But it could have been very different. A talented all-round athlete, Davies might have been at the Millennium Stadium instead of the Emirates last weekend, playing with an oval ball rather than a round one.

At Ysgol Ystalyfera, his secondary school, he played rugby alongside Ospreys youngsters Jack Jones, Daniel Suter and Ryan Evans.

They reached the Welsh Cup final and, as the team's fly-half, it seemed Davies had a bright rugby playing future ahead of him.

"My old school was a proper rugby school," he says. "I always used to enjoy playing rugby — I used to enjoy playing any sport to be honest.

"It was always rugby when I was growing up. My dad's a big rugby fan but he's kind of converted to football now.

"I had to decide when I was about 16 what I really wanted to do, and that was always football.

"All through my school days, I enjoyed playing rugby as much as I did football. Had the football not worked out, I'd have given rugby a decent go.

"But when it came to making a decision, it was always going to be football. There was no doubt about that. It's paid off."

LLANELLI hurdler Dai Greene was among the winners at the Swansea Sports Awards last night.

The ceremony at Brangwyn Hall featured honours from 15 categories, recognising the achievements of coaches, schools and grassroots clubs as well as high-profile athletes.

Greene was named senior sports person of the year after adding the 400m hurdles Diamond League crown to his World Championships, European Championships and Commonwealth Games titles as well as being given the honour of captaining the Great Britain Olympic athletics squad.

The Swansea Harrier just missed out on a medal at the London games, finishing fourth in the final.

The runner-up in this category was Olympic weightlifter Natasha Perdue, while swimmer Georgia Davies was third after reaching the Olympic semi-finals of the 100m backstroke.

Ellie Simmonds capped another outstanding year with her junior disabled sports person of the year prize.

At the Paralympics in London, the swimmer won gold in the 400m freestyle and the 200m individual medley, breaking the world records in both events.

Simmonds, who trains in Swansea, finished ahead of another swimmer, Jack Thomas, and karate star Steffan Symmons.

Medals

The senior sports person of the year award went to Paralympic swimmer Stephanie Millward, who claimed a staggering five medals – four silver and one bronze – at the London Games.

Shot-putter Ashleigh Hellyer was the runner-up in this category, while Paralympic Boccia medallist David Smith was third.

The City of Swansea Gym Club were named senior team of the year, with Swansea City second and the Gower College Football Academy in third place.

The junior club team of the year was awarded to athletics club Swansea Harriers, with Mumbles Treforus's netball team and football side Cockett Colts second and third respectively.

The primary school team of the year award went to Pontlliw Primary School, with Pontarddulais Primary's rugby team and Oystermouth's netball side second and third.

Pontlliw Primary School also won the Dragon Sports School award, ahead of Oystermouth and Waun Wen.

Gowerton School's Year 9 rugby side were named secondary school team of the year, ahead of Bishopston's Under-16 hockey side and Pentrehafod's Year 11 football team.

A FREEZE on recruiting staff has been place on Dyfed-Powys Police as part of cost-cutting efforts.

The force's police and crime commissioner Christopher Salmon has made the decision based on the tough economic times ahead, although it will not affect frontline policing, he said.

Mr Salmon added: "I have imposed a freeze on the recruitment of all police staff for Dyfed-Powys Police effective from today (Friday).

"This will not affect police officer or police community support officer recruitment.

"The Chancellor's statement on Wednesday confirmed how tough these times are and that pressure on the public finances will increase. We have to be prudent in the face of this uncertainty.

"None of us are immune from austerity and the police service has to play its part in helping to tackle the deficit.

"I will consider all options to reduce costs while delivering an effective police service for the people of Dyfed-Powys."

The decision on freezing staff recruitment is the first major announcement made by Mr Salmon since he was first elected to the role of police commissioner last month.

Mr Salmon praised the force for managing austerity cuts over the past two years. However, he said more was needed, adding: "We need to restructure the way we do business to meet these challenges and the changing demands of our times.

"After meeting officers and staff in the past few weeks I'm in no doubt that we can do this.

"The energy, dedication and enthusiasm are there across the force. I look forward to working with the team to deliver even better services for our people in the coming years."

Mr Salmon beat ex-Labour minister Christine Gwyther by 1,114 votes in last month's election. Mr Salmon, who is from a farming family in Powys, secured 32,887 votes compared with Ms Gwyther's 31,773.

As commissioner, he is now responsible for setting the strategic direction for Dyfed-Powys Police and scrutinising its performance on behalf of the public.

NORWICH boss Chris Hughton insists Swansea's stunning Premier League form has been "no fluke".

A brace from man of the moment Michu at Arsenal last weekend has seen the Swans soar to seventh in the table.

But the Canaries are also a side on the move, just four points behind Michael Laudrup's men, having beaten both Arsenal and Manchester United in an eight-match unbeaten run since the October international break.

"There was a very good platform for Laudrup when he took over, but he has tweaked the formation and brought in some very good players," Hughton said.

"I have been very impressed, not just with the run they are on, but also with the style they are playing which is an exciting brand of football, as well as anybody in this division. There have been no fluke results, they have earned them. It is not about one player, it is about the quality they have got.

"At this moment they are doing very well and all look real good summer purchases, particularly Michu, who is scoring the goals.

"We will have to make sure we are as resilient as possible, but also have a threat ourselves."

Both sides maintained their top-flight status last season having come up from the npower Championship.

Following a dismal start to the new campaign under Hughton — who took over when Paul Lambert left for Aston Villa in the summer — the Canaries looked relegation fodder.

However, Hughton remained confident results would improve.

"Even in the earlier part of the season the performances were not so bad," said Hughton.

"However, on the back of two heavy defeats there was a conscious effort we needed to tighten up as a unit and to put some wrongs right. It is still all about getting consistency and putting down a marker."

With England goalkeeper John Ruddy sidelined because of a thigh injury which needed surgery, Mark Bunn is again set to deputise.

Hughton has looked to maintain a settled side whenever possible, naming the same ten outfield players for a spell of three games in eight days.

"Everybody wants to play at the moment, I haven't got anybody who feels like they want a rest or a player we particularly want to rest," Hughton added.

"The decisions will be solely based on a particular team for a game.

"We have got a competitive squad at the moment and certainly have no fear about making any changes because any changes I did make would be because I felt it would make the team as equally strong."

MOST people would not be brave enough to do the job for one wet and windy night, let alone 46 years of them.

But Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team member Roger Button spent nearly half a century keeping people safe on the rugged Gower coastline — and the seas off it — before his retirement earlier this year.

The 66-year-old, who runs the Pitton Cross Caravan Park at the beauty spot, has a wealth of memories from his time with the team.

"I enrolled when I was 20 in 1966," he said.

"In my time with the Coastguard, there has been a terrific amount of change.

"In the early days you were required for manpower. Then as it developed into a full search and rescue unit, decision making became more important.

"I would call it thinking in real time. There was one incident where a lady had fallen on Gower and the information we had didn't tally the way it should have.

"We had to find out where the call had come from. We had two helicopters in the air. Controlling a situation like that and finding her is about decision making.

"Another incident was from about two or three years ago, around this time of year, and a lady had got lost in a terrible storm on Rhossili Down.

"We set off, it was a couple of recruits' first incident.

"The weather was so bad you couldn't stand up as the wind was so strong. There was a helicopter 100 metres above us and you couldn't see or hear it. "We glimpsed a tiny flash of a light and found her.

"She was using her phone to flash a light in the hope someone would see it."

To mark his remarkable dedication Mr Button, who also spent 12 years as deputy station officer, was presented with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee medal at the annual Gower Coastguard Sector Christmas party at the Llanrhidian Holiday Park.

"I have also been given the Coastguard Long Service Medal which I have been awarded for 20, 30 and 40 years service," he added.

"I retired in May and my wife of 42 years, Eira doesn't mind.

"It could have be very disruptive, you could be sitting down for a meal and the pager goes, the nice warm meal has to wait."

DAN Biggar has handed the Ospreys a rare piece of positive injury news ahead of their clash with the four-times kings of Europe, Toulouse, in south west France this afternoon (1.35pm British Time).

Biggar flew out with the squad yesterday after passing a late fitness test on the shoulder injury he picked up during Wales's autumn series defeat to Samoa last month.

Already without skipper Alun Wyn Jones and fellow Wales internationals Adam Jones, Ian Evans, Richard Hibbard, Jonathan Thomas, Aaron Jarvis and Richard Hibbard, the loss of the region's leading points-scorer would have been another massive blow to take.

However, Biggar's inclusion will at least provide head coach Steve Tandy with a welcome tonic as he plots a way of claiming a victory the region have admitted would be the greatest in their short history.

Biggar's half-back partner Kahn Fotuali'i retains the captain's armband ahead of returning Wales internationals Justin Tipuric and Ryan Jones, while new signing Campbell Johnstone is plunged straight into the cauldron of European conflict at tight-head prop.

Johnstone is one of four players making their Heineken Cup debuts at the Stade Ernest Wallon — full-back Ross Jones, lock James King and hooker Scott Baldwin are the others. Toulouse, meanwhile, are able to parade a multi-national line-up that includes a host of France stars, All Black Luke McAlister, Wallaby scrum-half Luke Burgess, Pumas lock Patricio Albacete, Springbok front- rowers Gurthro Steenkamp and Gary Botha and 20 stone Samoan colossus Census Johnston, who destroyed the Welsh scrum during the autumn.

Toulouse: Y. Huget; M. Medard, Y. David, F. Fritz, V. Clerc; L. McAlister, L. Burgess; G. Steenkamp, G. Botha, C. Johnston, R. Millo-Chluski, P. Albacete, J. Bouilhou, L. Picamoles, Y. Nyanga (capt). Reps: C. Tolofua, J-B. Poux, Y. Montes, Y. Maestri, G. Lamboley, E. Maka, G. Fickou, J. Marc Doussain.

Ospreys: R. Fussell; R. Jones, A. Bishop, A. Beck, E. Walker; D. Biggar, K. Fotuali'i (capt); D. Jones, S. Baldwin, C. Johnstone, I. Gough, J. King, R. Jones, J. Bearman, J. Tipuric, J. Bearman. Reps: M. Dwyer, R. Bevington, D. Arhip, L. Peers, S. Lewis, R. Webb, M. Morgan, T. Isaacs.

Robert Lloyd

A SPAT has broken out between Llanelli Town Council and the National Eisteddfod over calls for town businesses to benefit from the festival.

Town council chiefs had urged festival organisers to ensure business people in Llanelli reaped the dividends from the major Welsh cultural event in 2014.

But they were taken aback by a letter from festival organiser Hywel Wyn Edwards, which declared that there would be a meeting next October inviting businesses to hear of the possibilities of offering their services.

"This happened over the last three or four Eisteddfods and we will certainly want to operate in the same way in Carmarthenshire — remembering that this is the Carmarthenshire Eisteddfod — in 2014," said Mr Edwards.

Town council leader Carl Lucas said: "My reaction to the letter myself was — fine, if that's how you want it to be, if you want it to be the Carmarthenshire Eisteddfod when they come to us for the financial support — they want our support we will take note that it's a Carmarthenshire Eisteddfod."

Councillor Mike Burns said: "We are a small council, but there are 70-odd town and community councils in Carmarthenshire, so a 70th of the budget goes to them if they persist in this and don't help local businesses."

Councillor Jan Williams said: "While I'm absolutely delighted that the Eisteddfod will be coming to Llanelli and will be sited where the last one was, I'm a little bit horrified at the tone of this particular letter.

"It seems that it's something we are not supposed to make any comments about, that we are to receive the Eisteddfod — wonderful — here it comes, warts and all."

Speaking directly to town mayor Winston Lemon, who raised concerns about local businesses missing out when the last Eisteddfod was in Llanelli in 2000, Ms Williams said: "I think most of the people in this room agreed with you that people were transported down to the Eisteddfod and transported away.

"They didn't spend much time in Llanelli."