Deputy Chief Constable Jeff Farrar said: "If you're black or Asian in Gwent, you are nearly five times more likely to be stopped/searched than if you're white. If we can't answer questions about why we're stopping more black and Asian people than white then potentially we are discriminating against people." DCC Farrar said he did not want to tell his officers to stop searching people but nor could a disproportionate amount of stop and searches continue as it can be seen as police discriminating. The force has drawn up a plan to improve areas when dealing with stop and searches, which includes basing stops on intelligence and information, ensuring officers are aware of their legal responsibilities, including equality legislation, and supervisors scrutinising the quality and nature of stops.

After the meeting, chief executive of the Newport-based South East Wales Regional Equality Council, David Phillips, said the higher number of stops is not surprising. He added: "We have no objections to stop and searched as a tool to fighting crime. The communities we work with are as concerned to tackle crime as any other, but we do have concerns about the underlying assumptions behind the disproportionate use of stop and search on certain ethnic groups."

"As MPs who represent constituencies in which Peacocks is a signficant local employer, we are concerned that the government is not doing enough to assist the Group," it reads. "We seek your reassurances that this is not the case." The letter asks Ms Gillan if she has spoken to the Pecocks Group, and claiming that it was apparent from Welsh Questions last week that she had not. It said the difficulties faced by Peacocks are due in part to the government’s decision to raise VAT and called on the Welsh secretary to address the issue as a matter of urgency.

Newport MPs Jessica Morden, Paul Flynn, together with Torfaen member Paul Murphy, Blaenau Gwent’s Nick Smith and Islwyn’s Chris Evans were among those who put their name to the letter. A Wales Office spokeswoman said: "Personal attacks like this and attempting to undermine the work of the secretary of state and government won't save a single job at Peacocks." She added government could not intervene in a private company's affairs and said the Welsh secretary immediately spoke to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and has been liasing with key officials since the story broke

But Mr Mills – who is registered disabled after suffering a stroke – and his wife Jackie argued that there was no mention of disabled parking on a small notice in place at the time. Mrs Mills, 60, said they had parked in a disabled bay and displayed her husband’s disabled blue badge. They thought the first letter ordering them to pay £60 was a mistake and felt forced to pay the £90 fine when they received another letter last week which they said threatened them with bailiffs and court action.

A spokesman for Excel Parking Services Limited, which runs the private car park, said the parking notice was issued correctly in accordance with the terms and conditions of the car park. But he said the company has been instructed to refund the £90 paid by Mr and Mrs Mills.

The spokesman said the company took over the running of the car park on September 22 last year. But added: “We did not actually become ‘live’ until October 10 as we allowed a period for adjustment and education of car park users during which time we had dedicated staff onsite explaining the changes.”

The spokesman said signs were in place shortly before September 22. But disabled drivers claim the signs are unclear about the rules for parking. Blaenau Gwent MP Nick Smith has also claimed these new signs are “ambiguous” in a recent letter sent to the company’s managing director. Blaenau Gwent council said its trading standards team is carrying out enquiries with the company about its overall trading practices after receiving 92 complaints about The Walk since October 31 last year.

These, together with donations, legacies and its five charity shops, have all helped to raise more than £1 million for the Blaenau Gwent hospice over the last three years. The special birthday celebrations will be launched on February 11 with a choir concert at Ebbw Vale Leisure Centre where Beaufort, Abertillery, Cwm and Ebbw Vale male choirs will be joined by Abergavenny Borough Band.

There will also be a solo performance by West End star Katy Treharne, pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason and duo Kathleen Jenkins and Mark Chamberlain.

Tickets cost £6 or £5 for concessions and are available from the hospice on 01495 717277.

The firm was said to have owed £647 million to lenders at the end of April 2010. The move meant uncertainty for hundreds of Peacocks and Bon Marche workers, however, the latter business may still be sold separately. As the news was announced Torfaen AM Lynne Neagle said she would be pressing the Welsh Government to do everything it could to help the workers affected, who face an uncertain future.

“Peacocks is a much-loved Welsh brand that would leave a huge gap on High Streets up and down the country,” she said. “I’m particularly worried about the impact on Pontypool town centre, which has been hit hard in recent years by the loss of Woolworth’s and other iconic High Street stores.” Blaenau Gwent MP Nick Smith said the chain is important to Gwent towns.

There are three Peacocks stores in Newport and one each in Blackwood, Cwmbran, Abergavenny, Pontypool, Abertillery, Chepstow, Brynmawr, Ebbw Vale and Monmouth, along with a concession at a Co- Operative store in Cwmbran. “Peacocks is a cornerstone of Valleys’ town centres and will leave a big gap in our High Streets. Let’s hope the administrator finds a buyer so the stores can be revived,” Mr Smith said.

Monmouth MP David Davies MP said: “I am very disappointed to hear the news.” And Monmouth AM NIck Ramsay said: “The Welsh Government must do what it can to help what was once seen as a Welsh success story. “I like many other Assembly Members have stores inmyconstituency and it is important everything possible is done to keep the well preforming stores open.” Bonmarche has stores in Newport, Cwmbran, Abergavenny, Brynmawr and Blackwood. The Peacock Group said talks with potential investors were ongoing on Tuesday.