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Neath Port Talbot CBC has defended its decision to sack staff, after they spent too much time surfing the eBay website.

A number of staff have either been dismissed, resigned, or are currently being investigated for improper use of the Internet.

The staff had all spent working time surfing the Web, and in particular, using eBay.

‘A total of 99.9% of our workforce are hard-working,' said cabinet member for personnel services, Cllr Peter Rees.

‘It is very important that these employees can take comfort in the fact that the tiny minority who abuse the system will be tackled and appropriate action taken.

‘This action could range from an informal warning through to, ultimately, dismissal for gross misconduct.'

Unison welfare officer, Mark Fisher, said some people were ‘addicted' to certain websites.

A spokesman for the WLGA said: ‘Councils have a duty to ensure that employees are working for the council taxpayer who pays their wages.

‘There is a great deal of trust in the employment relationship between the council and its employees, and this abuse of trust is, fortunately, very rare.'