FIFTY-EIGHT lamp-posts in and around Chepstow will soon be adorned with nine different designs of colourful banners, which are aimed at enticing and welcoming visitors to the town.

The banners commissioned by Chepstow Marketing, have been designed by local artist, Susie Grindley and have been financed as a part of an Article 33 grant from the Welsh Development Agency.

The initiative is part of the group's strategy to revitalise the town through making best use of Chepstow's attractions and by marketing and promoting those attractions and events.

Paul Rutter, the Chair of the Marketing Group said: "Since the completion of the Town Centre Regeneration Scheme, there seems to be a much more positive vibe in and around Chepstow. "The Marketing Group is building on this by leading on initiatives to best promote the town and these new banners, which are due to be erected in the next few weeks, will demonstrate that we mean business."

Artist Susie Grindley, 32, has lived in Chepstow for five years and was asked by Chepstow's deputy mayor Ned Heywood to put some designs together for the banners in January.

She said: "It was quite a tough challenge because once we were agreed on the designs, I only had two weeks to complete them. I am really pleased at the way they have turned out though and I'm sure people will like them." The new banners are set to replace and older batch, which were made in 1992 and were held in high regard by many people in the town.

Ned Heywood said: "The new banners will replace the older ones we have, which were getting a bit worn out and old fashioned. "Luckily technology has developed a lot since we made them, so we were able to do these new banners quicker and cheaper. "I know the banners are very popular, in fact I have had representatives from three or four other towns in the UK call me to ask how they were made, because they wanted to do the same thing."