VISITORS had a blooming good time at a floral festival in Cwmbran St Gabriel's Church in Old Cwmbran played host to hundreds of colourful bouquets and arrangements created by Pontypool Floral Society at the weekend.

More than £1,000 worth of flowers were on display to raise money for the church restoration fund.

Father Michael Phillips, the rector of Cwmbran, said the church's first flower festival was a popular event.

"We have had lots of visitors to the show," said Father Michael.

"It really is breathtaking, on a scale I have never seen before. St Gabriel's is one of the hidden treasures of Cwmbran. Outside it is rather a plain old building, but inside it's a wonderful church and the flowers have made it look even better.

:It's such a big building, and each display is given plenty of room to look impressive without it looking cluttered."

Father Michael also praised the hard work of the Pontypool Floral Society and church members for making the event such a success.

The festival was rounded off on Sunday evening with a special service at which Cwmbran community council's new chairman, Councillor Margaret Williams, was given the blessing of the church.