SHOPKEEPERS and businesses have put a smile on a town’s face as part of its ‘Reasons to be Cheerful’ window dressing competition.

Newent traders found plenty of good reasons to be happy, from ‘winning the Lottery’ to ‘a teddy bears’ picnic’ to ‘the joys of reading’.

And crowned winners of the town’s annual ‘In Bloom’ shop window competition were Newent and District Rotary, who headed for the beach in their design.

But while the beach makes us all happy, a big notice in the window made clear their winning reason to be cheerful was the wonderful local support their pop-up charity shop has received from local people.

Rotary president Neil Albinson said: “We are delighted with the award. It has been a pleasure running our pop-up shop, knowing that all the proceeds will be going to local good causes”.

Neil Albinson, Pauline Drury, Freda Gurney, Claire Gurney and Paddy Roche helped construct the display.

Joint second were Dean Forest Hospice with ‘sunshine holidays’ and The Crusty Loaf Bakery with ‘winning the lottery’

Joint third were Pippins with ‘winning the Cricket World Cup’ and New Start for Cats with ‘a beach side wedding’.

Highly commended were Newent library, All Seasons Deli-Café and Easy Living Solutions.

“It’s been a marvellous response from our high street” said a Newent in Bloom spokesperson.

“Well done Newent traders”.

Newent in Bloom is a long established voluntary group affiliated to the Royal Horticulture Society which aims to improve civic pride and community spirit in the town.