HMP Berwyn in Wrexham is among seven prisons announced as the recipients of new equipment to tackle the smuggling of weapons, drugs and phones.

Prisons Minister Lucy Frazer on Monday named the jails as the first to benefit from the Government's £100 million investment announced in August.

But Labour criticised the move ahead of the December 12 General Election, saying Tory cuts were the reasons prisons were becoming more dangerous.

The prisons at Berwyn, Bristol, Hewell, Lancaster Farms, Leeds, Liverpool and Norwich will get X-ray baggage and metal detection equipment and will step up the searching of visitors and staff.

Ms Frazer said: "The gate and reception are key areas of vulnerability to smuggling and more robust searching of staff, visitors and prisoners will help reduce the flow of drugs, phones and weapons.

"This game-changing package of equipment is part of the Government's new £2.75 billion investment to modernise and maintain our prisons, create 10,000 additional places, and crack down on crime behind bars."

But shadow justice secretary Richard Burgon hit out at the Conservatives and vowed to restore prison officer numbers to 2010 levels if Labour wins.

"Tory cuts to staffing are the main reason our prisons have become more dangerous than ever," he said.

"Despite all the Tory spin, there are still thousands fewer prison officers then when Labour left office. You can't trust the Tories with our public services."