Customs officers says it has uncovered a huge illegal distillery in Cardiff, capable of producing thousands of litres of counterfeit vodka. The distillery, on the Curran Embankment, Grangetown, was uncovered by HM Revenue and Customs on Thursday.

Children as young as six are calling Swansea’s Childline helpline desperate for support.Hundreds of youngsters are calling the city’s teams of counsellors each year.

A lottery winner sexually abused two girls in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, it was alleged in cort yesterday. After allegedly raping one of the girls, David Dyas, 52, gave her £2, prosecutor Martin Kelly claimed at Cardiff crown court.

Traces of a highly addictive class-A drug were found in Wales’ corridors of power in tests carried out by the Daily Post. The scientific survey conducted over the past month revealed widespread cocaine abuse across the region.

The Care Council for Wales welcomes the Assembly Government’s 10-year strategy for social services launched today.

An alliance of Welsh cancer charities has called for an overhaul of cancer services and policies. The six charities believe their manifesto demands are the only way to create world-class services for patients in Wales.

Health Minister Dr Brian Gibbons is to set out plans for a Wales-wide shake-up of social services later. The assembly government’s 10 year strategy will be aimed at giving people who need social services more say over the care or support they receive.

Mental health problems among Welsh children are on the increase because there are not enough services to help them, ChildLine warned yesterday. Figures released by ChildLine revealed its staff received nearly 200 calls last year from children contemplating suicide, with 80% of those calls coming from girls.

Frail newborn babies are being sent to England because there are not enough spaces in Welsh hospitals, it was claimed today. Calls have been made for more money to provide the specialist care and equipment to care for the babies born prematurely and weighing as little as a few pounds.

Plans to downgrade or even shut a West Wales hospital could be back on the agenda, campaigners fear. People power forced controversial changes to hospitals across the region back to the drawing board last year.