For the 31st consecutive year, Usk has won its 'large village' category in the Wales in Bloom competition.

This year the village was given a gold award with a score of 182, putting them in a winning position overall in the competition, more than 10 marks ahead of their nearest competition. Usk received more marks than any other region across the categories, including the winning city, Wrexham.

The competition is prepared for by a group of 20 volunteers who form Usk in Bloom. The group was established in 1982 with the aim of making the town more presentable and successful in the awards.

"People think that the competition is all about the flowers, but recent changes mean that actually 50 per cent of the marks are based on floral displays, and the remaining marks are about environment, community participation, dog litter, managing costs and more," said Usk in Bloom chairman Tony Kear.

The town was nominated for the award and when judges arrived to visit, they were given presentations and a tour of the village.

"There is huge community participation in the project; getting the school, Brownies, Scouts, the WI and the police involved," said Mr Kear.

"The competition was taken over recently by the Royal Horticultural Society, who recognised the role of the event in bringing communities together," he said.

The village received financial support from the town and county council, as well as sponsorship from local businesses. The majority of funds are raised each year by a fundraising show organised by Usk in Bloom, in which £4000 was raised this year.

Monmouth Assembly Member, Nick Ramsay, has congratulated all those involved with Usk's Wales in Bloom entry.

"I would like to pass on my congratulations to the organisers and all those taking part in the competition again this year. Usk's flower displays are once again a sight to behold," said Mr Ramsay.

"This was an excellent achievement. Well done to all involved for their hard work, your efforts were well rewarded."

With more good news for Monmouthshire, Chepstow and Abergavenny were awarded second and third place respectively in the small town category, finishing behind Holywell.