BLAENAVON is set to feature in a top US travel magazine with a readership of 4 million.

Val Waterhouse, a writer for Travel and Leisure magazine visited Blaenavon last month to research a piece she's writing on booktowns. She's currently compiling the piece for the spring edition of the magazine. Her piece will tell readers Blaenavon is a good place to visit - but it's not for the faint-hearted.

Ms Waterhouse spent two days in the area last month. "Although it's new and still has some way to go, I will definitely be recommending my readers visit," she says.

"The area around is beautiful and the bookshops contain some real finds at good prices."

But the freelance writer's initial impression of the town at night had been negative.

She says: "My first impression of Broad Street was, unfortunately in the evening after the shops had closed. Many were boarded up or encased in metal grids and it all looked pretty grim.

"I was there with my daughter and parents and we found the pavements to be dangerously narrow, especially as cars were whizzing up and down the street at speed. That is something that definitely needs sorting out."

But she was won over by local people. "The locals were friendly and helpful. We had a pleasant pub meal and checked out the other pubs and restaurants locals had suggested.

"The next day Broad Street looked completely different. The bookshops were all open and I found most were interesting. There was a real feeling of camaraderie among the booksellers. What they lack in experience, they make up for in enthusiasm.

"I particularly liked Broadleaf Books, Browning Books and Chattertons and we could see that much of the boarding outside is because improvements are taking place.

"My parents and daughter visited Big Pit and thoroughly enjoyed being shown around by a former miner."

Asked how Blaenavon compared next to the daddy of all Booktowns, Hay-on-Wye, she says: "Hay is obviously far more established and offers a wider experience than just books. It is certainly way ahead of Blaenavon, but that's to be expected at the moment.

"I would only recommend Blaenavon to travellers in search of an adventure - and who want to see something new in a part of the country that is not often explored.

"But it's certainly worth a visit."