A driver from the Abergavenny area found himself off-road after his vehicle rolled down an embankment near the Welsh Street car park in Chepstow.

The LandRover Freelander was parked on a slight slope in the car park but it trundled down the hill and gathered enough momentum to mount a six-inch kerb.

After that there nothing to stop it rolling 50ft down the grass slope and over a six-feet high wall.

But it could have been worse - within a few yards are a lamp-post, a stone bench and a large tree.

Local firefighters were quickly on the scene and the police helicopter was also called out.

Initially it was thought it would be necessary to close the footpath through the Dell as there might be a danger of the vehicle falling.

Steve  Cooksley of Chepstow Fire Station said, "We were called out  at about 4pm and at first we thought it might be necessary to close off the Dell for public safety.

"The vehicle was being held in place by the vegetation and so we strapped it to ensure it stayed in place.

"We could see that the handbrake was not on but all the doors were locked."

A recovery firm from Newport was called out at about 5pm but it soon became apparent that the small truck they had brought was not up to the job.

A lorry with a more powerful winch was sent to the scene and the Landrover was taken to a local garage at around 7.15pm.

It is understood that the owner is from the Abergavenny area.