IF ever a couple deserved a big break it's Steve and Thelma, mine hosts at one of Gwent's oldest pubs The Chainbridge, at Kemys Commander, outside of Usk.

They've had every possible bad break there is for a business that depends on the goodwill, not only of the local community, but outsiders who travel from afar looking for a good meal or a drink or two.

It's two and half years since Steve and Thelma took over the pub but in that time they have suffered from the effects of a petrol strike, foot-and-mouth disease, flooding and, worst of all, an appalling sequence of bad weather. However, they did win a South Wales Argus award for quality food.

With such a huge investment and an absolute belief in their ability to make good, they have come through - even though there was a time when they thought they were teetering on the edge of disaster.

When I saw Thelma last week, trade had picked up. She said: "We have actually climbed a little since last year and it seems we have made a name for ourselves which, of course, is what we wanted to do."

Sunday lunches are booming and chef Steve, working hard in the kitchen, has allowed a smile to return to his face.

The dramatic resurgence of trade is all down, they believe, to value for money and the fact that their regular customers keeping coming back and also tell their friends. Good freshly cooked food plays an important part in the pub's daily trade. A recent Winter Warmer promotion of main course and dessert for £3.95, where there is a choice of steak, cod, chicken Kiev, lasagne and a vegetarian option, plus good old-fashioned desserts such as rhubarb crumble, jam roly-poly and rice pudding, has paid off.

As Thelma said: "We had an excellent Sunday with more than 50 lunches and it's obvious to me that our regulars are passing on their pleasure at the value for money they receive."

There has been one important development. Four letting bedrooms, with colour TV and all mod cons, are proving a boon.

Steve is absolutely delighted with that success and believes, with Thelma, that the pub with its good parking and riverside views, plus, of course, the decking fronting the river, will - with good weather - put The Chainbridge back as a top spot for a meal and a drink.