A BLOOMIN' marvellous time was had by all at a special presentation evening held at Newport Centre to celebrate the town's flora and fauna.

On Friday, guests enjoyed a selection of slides showing some of the displays that won Newport in Bloom awards, before the mayor of Newport, Councillor Ron Morris, made the presentations.

Awards were presented for the best flower displays using baskets in the community, shops, hotels and pubs, schools and churchyards.

Fourteen year-old Philip Huang collected the award for best flower display for a secondary school on behalf of Caerleon Comprehensive, where he has been a pupil for only two months.

When collecting the award, Philip, who is originally from Shanghai, was asked by Councillor Morris what he thought of Newport. He replied: "It's a good place and the people are very kind and they have been a great help to me."

Kingsway shopping centre was beaten into second place in the best flower display for shops. Manager Michael Hine is soon going to China to cycle across the Wall of China to raise money for charity.

When asked if Philip Huang and his family had given him any advice for the trip he replied: "They told me to enjoy the experience and the food."

For Malpas Church in Wales Infant School it was a particularly successful evening. As well as collecting second place for the best wildlife garden and painting competition for Years 1 and 2 from Newport In Bloom they also collected the painting prize from Wales in Bloom.

Deputy head teacher Susan Gallagher said: "The children have worked very hard to improve the school environment and they obviously have a talent for recreating this change in environment in their artwork."

Water contractor Mark Ball, who waters all the hanging baskets in Newport town centre - "even when it's raining" - picked up the Chairman's award for special services.

*PICTURED: Deputy head Susan Gallagher, of Malpas Church in Wales Infants School, with Lowri Bailey who had a joint second prize for a painting.