NEWPORT in Bloom 2002 could be jeopardised by plans to slash £15,000 off the budget for spring bulbs and bedding plants, councillors claim.

The town's floral displays, including Mary Whiting's at Caerleon, pictured, win praise from visitors and have seen it clinch the Wales in Bloom contest title five times - three times in succession.

Now Newport council is to make cutbacks on how much it spends on plants - and also proposes to save £50,000 on grass cutting in new areas, and £15,000 on tree maintenance and the weeding of the Monmouth and Brecon Canal.

Four Tory councillors challenged the decision, made by Councillor Graham Dally, Cabinet member for transport and sustainable development, and Stephen Davidson, head of environmental services.

But their bid to overturn the decision failed.

Allt-yr-Yn councillor Matthew Evans - who challenged the decision with Councillors Les Knight, David Atwell and Margaret Cornelious - told the Argus: "We were bitterly disappointed. Obviously Newport in Bloom is one of the few areas we don't get complaints about from the public or visitors coming to Newport.

"It's one of the things that improves the image of the town." He added he was also concerned that there was no provision for the developers of new housing estates to give the council a sum of money to maintain them.

New housing at Allt-yr-Yn Heights, Langstone, Castell Mews and Afon Village in Rogerstone, will be affected by the savings on grass cutting.

As the council has no policy for dealing with over or under-spendings at the end of the year, each case is taken on its merit.

Councillor Dally told the Argus: "There's just not enough money in the budget. We are £80,000 short and there was no slippage showing in other parts of the budget to transfer. I had to make a decision."

He said additional funding had been applied for, but when it did not arrive in July he had to decide on a reduction in standards.

"I would hope it won't affect Newport in Bloom. It's only the spring bulbs that will be affected, we will still have the summer planting. Maybe by next year we will have the budget back"