WE are delighted to report some good news today about one of Newport's most important buildings.

Visitors at Tredegar House so far this year have already matched the numbers who visited the mansion in the whole of 2012.

The numbers are further justification for Newport council's decision to hand over management of the 17th century house and park to the National Trust 18 months ago.

With 45,000 people going through its doors since the turn of the year, the National trust expects to welcome around 60,000 visitors before the end of the year.

And that puts the Trust well on its way to its target of attracting 100,000 people a year to the jewel in Newport's crown within 10 years.

The 50-year lease granted to the National Trust last year means the house is open all year round, helping to boost visitor numbers and provide the charity with more cash to repair and improve the site.

The long-term future of Tredegar House is secure and that is good news for the city as a whole.

As we have said many times before in this column, it is all too easy to be negative about Newport's future.

Now we have more evidence that the city's history can play a central part in the future.

The rebirth of Tredegar House needs to be promoted as one of Newport's many positive aspects.