USK in Bloom has been named as one of six finalists competing for Britain in Bloom’s most prestigious award – the Champion of Champions.

Tony Kear, chairman of the Usk group, said AM for Monmouth Nick Ramsay has written to the first minister asking for his support ahead of the 2015 competition.

Usk in Bloom has represented Wales in the Royal Horticultural Society competition for 33 years in a row after being founded in 1981.

But it is the first time the group, made up entirely of volunteers, has been nominated for the Champion of Champions award for consistent performance.

Mr Kear, who has been chairman of Usk in Bloom since 2012, said the Champion of Champions is the “ultimate accolade”.

Usk is the first Welsh community ever to be nominated for the leading horticultural award and is up against Bath, Truro, Norton in Hales, Market Bosworth and Filby.

Mr Kear said: “We’re up against the likes of Bath who are bigger than us and have more resources.”

Usk Town Council have also this year increased their funding to the group.