THE small valleys town of Brynmawr is being put on the international map -- thanks, in large, to community-spirited Sue Ball.

A Brynmawr website attracting more than 1,000 hits a month from all over the world, a new Wales Tourist Board recognised information outlet and the forthcoming town citizenship awards -- all are the result of her hard work and decdication to the town.

Although she had done voluntary work for several years -- setting up the weekly Brynmawr newsletter in 1999 and acting as secretary for the Brynmawr Partnership -- last year Sue decided to take a big step further.

When she and her husband Robert Ball gave up their optician's business in Bailey Street, she transformed the building into an information centre and internet caf that now offers a wide range of services to local people.

Just a few months on, the not-for-profit voluntary organisation called Brynmawrscene is thriving, with computer and Welsh classes running. It is also the Wales Tourist Board's first alternate information outlet in Blaenau Gwent.

And the Brynmawr website Sue set up has been a huge success. "I come up with the ideas and do all the typing while Rob and my cousin Martin, a web designer, do all the technical stuff," says Sue.

"I thought I would be able to update it only every couple of weeks but it has proved too popular. It has been successful beyond my wildest dreams.

"It is a great way for ex-pats to keep in touch with what is going on in Brynmawr. They have all sent flags from the countries where they live, which are on display at Brynmawrscene. They'll be put outside on flagpoles in the summer."

She adds that love and pride for her town keep her motivated.

"I am passionate about Brynmawr -- there are so many good people living here.

"It is not just one person putting the town on the map; there is fantastic community spirit here. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."

BBC Radio broadcast several shows from Brynmawrscene's offices last year.

And Sue and Rob, who are both independent town councillors, are now arranging citizenship awards to provide some recognition for the town's unsung heroes.

The event will be in April and will be "a classy event on a shoestring budget", according to Sue, who writes a weekly column for the Argus Grassroots' section.

The couple are also helping with arrangements for a 13-mile sponsored walk in Brynmawr in June to raise money for breast, testicular and prostate cancers -- a walk which is being organised by David and Tracey Finch.

Bob Champion, the jockey who won the Grand National on Aldiniti after fighting back to health after suffering testicular cancer, will be coming to Brynmawr on the day.

Although she has lived in nearby Blaina for the last 14 years, Sue is a Brynmawr woman through-and-through, having been born there in 1956 and attended schools in the town.

After leaving education, her jobs included a spell in the Business Statistics Office in Newport and working as a dental nurse locally.

In 1982, she gave birth to daughter Claire -- now married and working as a nursery nurse in Ystruth Primary School, Blaina -- and gave up work to raise her.

"As soon as she was born I knew I couldn't go out and leave her. I was a single mum and I am proud of what I did.

"I couldn't have left her with a childminder," she says.

"I don't regret not working when Claire was little. We are very close and I'm sure that is why."

When Claire went to nursery school, however, Sue was back on the job market and took a job as a receptionist with optician Robert Ball in 1984.

"I found it difficult to go back but he kept giving me different things to do and I did a few courses and got my confidence back."

Eventually love blossomed and the couple tied the knot in St Lucia in 1993. The wedding was attended by Claire, Robert's son Stuart, and two witnesses -- the fitness instructor and entertainments manager at their resort.

"They were so proud to be asked," Sue says.

The return from that holiday began the couple's other great love -- with cats.

"When we got home, there was a cat, Smudge, waiting on our windowsill in the snow and we didn't have the heart to throw him out even though Claire suffered from asthma.

"She eventually built up immunity and now has three cats of her own," says Sue.

Smudge died four years ago but several others have now found a home with the couple: Sassy, who was a contender in the Argus search for the heftiest cat in Gwent, her kitten Chewbee and the newly acquired Jess and Alfie.

Although Sue is happily settled in her home with Rob -- now working for Rayners opticians -- and their four cats, she says life has not always been so kind.

Four years ago her beloved mother Mavis Randell died suddenly, at the age of 67, leaving her shellshocked.

"It was a huge shock and I felt like giving up everything then," says Sue. "But I realised that wouldn't have made her very proud!

"She was so much fun and an inspiration to me. I still really miss her."

Brynmawrscene is open from 9.30am to 5pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and from 9.30am to 2.30pm on Fridays. It will also be open on Saturdays during the summer. Telephone 01495 312567. The website address is www.brynmawrscene.co.uk