CHEPSTOW has been named joint winner of Wales in Bloom, the second time in three years that it has taken the honour.

Judges were particularly impressed by the involvement of the community and awarded the town a silver gilt medal along with Holywell in north Wales.

The town's efforts were co-ordinated by Chepstow town council's amenities committee with the involvement of town council staff and volunteers from environmental group Transition Chepstow.

Chair of the amenities committee Yvonne Havard will travel to Chirk in north Wales for the awards ceremony where she will be presented with a plaque designed and made by Chepstow potter and town councillor Ned Heywood.

She said: "We are particularly delighted by the fact that we scored more our community involvement than the last time we won."

Town mayor Stephanie Dovey said: "I would like to pay tribute to the town council staff, the amenities committee and Transition Chepstow who have all contributed so much to this success.

"The amenities committee is responsible for key town council services including the summer floral display and the Christmas lights switch-on."

Wales in Bloom judges were impressed by the quality of planting throughout the town, the innovative introduction of herbs and other edible plants in prominent positions and tree planting in the town centre and the restoration of the riverbank.

The prizes for the town council's annual garden competition were presented at Chepstow and District Gardening Club's show at Bulwark Community Centre last weekend.

The winner of the best front garden was Mr Roy Bradley of Bulwark, Terry and Pamela Whittaker of The Danes won best back garden, Caroline Duchet of Bulwark had the best allotment and a special award went to the Berkeley Centre run by Chepstow Mencap.