EARLIER this week the long-awaited revamp of Ebbw Vale's Festival Park finally got the green light.

It's a big move in the history of what was once a thriving shopping centre, which in 1992 played host to a massive Garden Festival.

The Garden Festival of Wales took place in 1992 at the former steel site in Ebbw Vale. As well as gardens exhibits included a giant phone, dragon, waterfall, a railway and the 'In the Nick of Time' clock feature.

Two million visitors came to the garden festival and the site is now occupied by homes and a shopping centre.

We dug through our archive to find some pictures from the time.

South Wales Argus: MASCOT: Gryff escorts the Bray family into the Garden Festival as the one millionth visitor

Gryff escorts the Bray family into the Garden Festival as the one millionth visitor

South Wales Argus: CONSTRUCTION: The building of the Garden Festival site

The building of the Garden Festival site

South Wales Argus: WATERFALL: The first waterfall starts in the Garden Festival

The first waterfall starts in the Garden Festival

South Wales Argus: FEATURE: Islwyn Borough Council’s mole exhibit at the Garden Festival

Islwyn Borough Council’s mole exhibit at the Garden Festival

South Wales Argus: FLOWERS: Andrew Morgan and the floral clock at the Garden Festival

Andrew Morgan and the floral clock at the Garden Festival

South Wales Argus: ANNIVERSARY: Golden wedding couple Ken and Peggy Hayter pan for gold at the Garden Festival

Golden wedding couple Ken and Peggy Hayter pan for gold at the Garden Festival

South Wales Argus: VISITORS: Residents of Castle Court and St Anne’s nursing home visit the Garden Festival

Residents of Castle Court and St Anne’s nursing home visit the Garden Festival

South Wales Argus: POND: A water feature at the Garden Festival

A water feature at the Garden Festival

South Wales Argus: HILL: The main viewing platform at the Garden Festival

The main viewing platform at the Garden Festival

South Wales Argus: STAR: Bill Oddie and the giant telephone exhibit

Bill Oddie and the giant telephone exhibit