Friends and neighbours of former royal valet George Smith have said they are shocked by his claims that he was raped by an aide to the Prince of Wales.

George Smith, from Malpas, near Newport, claimed in a Sunday newspaper that he was assaulted in 1989.

I doubt he will be coming into the pub with all the media attention

David Hanley, landlord

The aide, who has not been named by the BBC, denies the claims and has accused Mr Smith, 42, of being unreliable and of changing his story.

Friends of Mr Smith, a Falklands War veteran, who is married with two young children, say he had never previously mentioned the alleged attack.

David Hanley, landlord of Mr Smith's local pub in Malpas, the Three Horseshoes, told BBC Wales: "Everything has been a bit of shock for us.

"He is a nice, quiet, unassuming guy.

"We knew he had worked for Prince Charles and drove his cars, but he didn't tend to talk about it much.

"I have spoken to him and he said he would be coming to the pub, but I doubt he will with all the media attention."

Mr Smith's father Peter, answering calls from the press at the family home in Newport, said he did not wish to speak about the news.

However, he said his son had gone away for a few days and that the family was "shocked" by the revelations.

Mr Smith's father Peter: 'Shocked'

Neighbour Ottaleen Dally added: "It was a shock to hear the allegations. George is a very nice person and is a good father and neighbour.

"He didn't talk about his work with the Royal family much.

"He always had a good word to say about Diana and she had bought him a car as well as found him a house near Kensington Palace."

The alleged attacker has issued a statement through his solicitors denying he raped Mr Smith.

The aide said Mr Smith was unreliable and accused him of changing his story.

Mr Smith spoke to the Mail on Sunday newspaper about the alleged assault but has not commented on the attack since the story was published.

Mr Smith has waived his right to anonymity

Members of the media have been camped outside the family's council house in Newport, but no further comment has been made by Mr Smith.

Mr Smith was seconded to Prince Charles' household in 1986 after serving as a corporal in the Falklands where he was on board the Sir Galahad when it was bombed.

He no longer works for the Royal family.

Details of the alleged rape of Mr Smith emerged following the collapse of the theft case against Paul Burrell, the former butler to Diana, Princess of Wales.

St James' Palace issued a statement on Friday saying there had been a full investigation between October 2001 and February 2002, of events "alleged to have taken place" in the late 1980s.

A spokeswoman for the Prince of Wales said there had been a full police investigation and no evidence had been found.