VOLUNTEERS in Usk have every right to be feeling very proud at the moment.

For once again their fantastic efforts have won the town an award in this year's Wales in Bloom competition.

And given that this marks the 32nd consecutive success in this annual award, this is no mean feat. We send them our congratulations.

The town's many eye-catching flower beds and numerous baskets were judged to be worthy of a silver gilt award, which augurs well for the town's involvement in this year's Britain in Bloom Uk finals.

Usk is one of only three Welsh towns, cities or villages in this year's finals. In our eyes it has already made its mark.

And one of the added benefits of having such success is the joy the presence of the flowers brings not only to visitors to Usk but to all those who live and work there.

There is something about beautiful floral displays which lift the spirit, and in times of austerity perhaps it is doubly important that people make the effort.

In Newport the city wins many plaudits for its floral displays and this year, in particular, for the wild flower borders which have been created along many of the main arteries into the city.

And quite rightly so.

At the height of the summer they were an absolute delight and even now as autumn creeps upon us they still raise a smile.