'Ring of steel' for Nato summit in Newport and Cardiff

Security fencing has gone up in front of the walls of Cardiff Castle

It has been described as being like the location for a sci-fi movie, but Cardiff city centre and roads around Newport have taken on an unfamiliar look as security tightens ahead of the Nato summit on 4 and 5 September.

A "ring of steel" has been erected around summit venues in both cities.

It crosses parks, roads and even rings castle walls.

More than 150 heads of state and ministers will attend along with 10,000 support staff and 2,000 journalists.

Mounted police officers patrol the security fence in front of Cardiff Castle

Workers and shoppers are already getting used to using security gates within the cordon ahead of the summit

Although the summit is in Newport, some receptions and dinners will be held in Cardiff

As well as the 'ring of steel', the 150 visiting heads of state and ministers will get armed protection

Fencing covering 13.5km (8 miles) circles the area around the Celtic Manor in Newport, the summit's host venue

The cost of the security is being met centrally and not by Welsh police forces