IN MONMOUTH, the wine shops stock Cristal champagne, former megastar musicians hang out in the pubs, and an ex-Spice Girl is moving in around the corner.

Is it any wonder that a new survey today reveals the Monmouth parliamentary constituency - which includes towns like Monmouth, Abergavenny, Chepstow, Usk and Raglan - as the second fastest growing wealth hotspot in the UK?

The survey by Barclays Financial Planning shows a 66% increase in the number of affluent people (earning £60,000 a year or more) living in the area since last year, and much of the wealth is concentrated in Monmouth town and surrounding areas.

Estate agents Roscoe Rogers and Knight deal with properties at the top end of the housing market, and recently sold former Spice Girl Mel C a £850,000 home in Catbrook.

Marketing co-ordinator Bleddyn Rich-ards said: "Basically, Monmouth is a very, very nice place to live. Crime rates are low, the schools are excellent and we are close to cities and the countryside.

"Seven years ago we were in the doldrums with closed shops, higher unemployment and no outlook. Now the town is fighting back. "The quality of life is excellent. Lots of business people move here because there are excellent transport links to Birmingham and Cardiff.

"People here are used to seeing wealth, and even seeing famous people milling about."

The area has become a favourite of the music business thanks to the presence of the famed Rockfield recording studios, while other affluent people have moved over the Welsh border from areas like Bristol and the Cotswolds.

Shops are always a good indicator of a town's wealth, and Monmouth's main store is the upmarket Waitrose, which stocks top brand champagnes, fine wines and Panama cigars.

At Victoria Wine on Monnow Street they stock Krug champagne at £79.99 a bottle, and Cristal, the champagne of choice for celebrities, at £120 a bottle.

"We sell at least one bottle of Cristal a week," said shop assistant Geoff Garrad.

"Most shops order it but we always have some in stock." Phil Ramsden, who owns the Gate House pub at the entrance to town, said: "Monmouth is the Las Vegas of the UK. So many musicians move here.

"I'm not going to give out any names but you get used to seeing them about the town. I think it's an attractive place for the wealthy." l Monmouth is second in the UK for financial growth, with 5.35% of people classed as affluent in 2004, compared to 3.22% last year, a 66% change in a year.

High Peak in Derbyshire tops the table with 5.50% affluent, a 68% change.