THE successful conclusion of the city status campaign marks the end of a nine-month process from launch to announcement.

The cost of the campaign is difficult to estimate exactly, although everyone inv-olved is keen to point out that the cost (whatever it is) has been small.

In an interview with bid committee chairman Ben Hoppe, the Argus reported that he was "pleased that the campaign for City Status has so far only cost £25,000 - it could have run into hundreds of thousands of pounds."

That was the only figure Newport council would admit to yesterday. Mr Hoppe and the committee sought contributions from local businesses and six became official sponsors of the campaign: - HSBC, Peacheys Accountants, Sol-utia, Celtic Manor Resort, Monmouthshire Building Society and Castle Leisure.

The value of their contribution has not been made public.

The value of non-financial donations to the bid are even more difficult to calculate. Members of the community-based bid committee - which included Newport Rugby owner Tony Brown, Argus editor Gerry Keighley, Town Centre partnership director Malcolm Hall, Welsh netball coach Raewyn Henry, recently retired university principal Ken Overshott and others - have freely donated their time. As have school children, politicians and others involved.

While the cost of the bid has been kept to a minimum, the benefits of success could be great.

Mr Hoppe said: "It will give Newport a high profile which will attract inward investment culminating in more jobs."

In Sunderland, where they pipped Newport in a bid for city status in 1992, an estimated 30,000 jobs have been created since then.

"The regeneration has been absolutely fantastic. Sunderland is a wonderful example," said Mr Hoppe.