OF THE two constituencies encompassing the city, Newport East, is the slightly less affluent, with lower wages and higher levels of child poverty than just over the River Usk.

The constituency has been held by Labour since it was created in 1983, with Roy Hughes serving as its MP until 1997, when he was succeeded by Alan Howarth.

Jessica Morden has represented the constituency since 2005. Although she was re-elected in 2010 and 2015, her share of the vote has dropped by 4.5 per cent overall since she was first elected.

This year she faces challenges from candidates representing the Conservatives, Plaid Cymru, the Liberal Democrats and Ukip, as well as a sixth nominee, Nadeem Ahmed, who has not detailed whether he is running for a party or as an Indepedent.

John Griffiths, also Labour, represents the area in the Senedd.

The boundary of the constituency stretches along the coast and north up the Usk to the M4, following the road east to Caldicot.

It encompasses about half the city itself, including the communities of St Julians, Beechwood, Somerton and Alway as well as the Parc Seymour, Llandevaud, Penhow and Llanmartin areas north of the M4.

Among landmarks falling within it are Rodney Parade, Llanwern Steelworks, the International Sports Village in Lliswerry and a significant amount of new housing development on the riverbank.

If the long-awaited M4 relief road goes ahead it will cut through the south of the constituency, potentially causing years of disruption to residents and businesses in the area.

Although unemployment in Newport East is slightly lower than in Newport West at 3.8 per cent in comparison with four per cent, this is still above the national average of 2.6 per cent. Likewise more than one in four children in the area, 26.4 per cent, are living in poverty - putting it among the highest 20 per cent in the country.

Meanwhile 8.4 per cent of people of working age in the constituency are claiming disability benefits - higher than the national average of 6.2 per cent.

Average pay is £10 a week higher than over the river in Newport east at £500, but still below the national average of £530.

But average house prices are also significantly lower than the national average at £142,000, and £17,000 cheaper than in Newport West.

AT A GLANCE - NEWPORT EAST

Population: 78,867

Number of these aged 65 or older: 13,207 (16.7 per cent)

Average weekly pay: £500

(UK average £530)

Average house price: £142,000

(UK average £215,000)

Number of people on disability benefits: 2,880 (7.8 per cent)

(UK average 6.2 per cent)

Unemployment: 3.8 per cent

(UK average 2.6 per cent)

Child poverty: 26.4 per cent

(UK average 20 per cent)

Number of businesses: 1,885

YOUR CANDIDATES:

Nadeem Ahmed (party not specified)

Natasha Batool Asghar (Conservative)

Pete Brown (Lib Dem)

Ian William Gorman (Ukip)

Jessica Elizabeth Morden (Labour)

Cameron Thomas Wixcey (Plaid Cymru)