GP sessions at a remote Brecon Beacons branch surgery are to be reduced to just two a week.

Coelbren branch surgery is run as part of the Dulais Valley General Practice in Severn Sisters which is losing two of its four doctors. The practice has said it is struggling to find replacements.

It has announced with immediate effect the number of GP sessions in Coelbren will reduce from four a week to two. There will also be no GP clinics in Coelbren this week and will be none again during the fortnight beginning Monday, November 30.

Kirsty Williams, Liberal Democrat AM, for Brecon and Radnorshire, said: "Coelbren is a vibrant yet very isolated community with poor public transport links so these services are incredibly important to the people who live there and use them.

"I will be requesting an urgent meeting with the Dulais Valley General Practice and Powys Health Board to see what can be done to recruit new GPs so that the existing service, that is invaluable to the people of Coelbren, can be retained."

Simon Boden-Tebbut, practice manager, said the reduced GP sessions will remain until further notice and it is intended to recruit at least one more GP. But he said the surgery had struggled to attract applicants, which he said is a common problem across Wales.

The Coelbren branch remains open as normal for appointments with the nurse and to collect medication on four mornings a week. It is closed on Wednesdays.