We spend hours and hours a week sitting at our desks. Many people personalise their work space if they can.

Business Argus has been asking local business people what they have on their desk which makes them smile.

Gerald Davies, executive chairman, Kymin, Newport

I don’t really make a kind of nest of my desk. Some people do and it becomes like a second home, but not me. There is one thing that has been on my desk for a very long time and that is a paperweight in the shape of a capital letter G. This has two important uses. If I forget my name, it reminds me who I am. Also, it is very useful for throwing at people! As it is made of solid brass this is usually effective.

Paul Cleverley, Smart Solutions, Newport

My favorite thing on my desk is my monitors. Sad and geeky I know, but what a difference to your working day to be able to spread your work out from the confines of your little laptop screen, and convince yourself your doing something really important on board the Enterprise.

David Barnes, managing director, DB Public Relations, Newport

The picture shows a scale model of a bright red Standard Vanguard Phase 1a car. The model, encapsulated in its plastic presentation case, usually sits on the platform in front of my computer monitor. The beetle back Standard, a luxury car of its time which is now seldom seen really quite rare, was the British answer in the fifties to the American Chrysler Plymouth. One of my dream cars!

Steve Morgan, Steve Morgan Associates, Newport

When the pressure is on, and its looking like another late night, I grab a cup of coffee in my favourite mug and listen to the advice!

Kate Richards, territory manager, Budget Vets, Newport

This is Meow. She sits on my desk or in the window. She's a stress detractor but I feel cruel squeezing her so she just sits there.

I always feel like she looking over me, a but creepy really but I keep her there all the same.

Natalie Poynton, director of Xpress Recruitment, Newport

My favourite piece of equipment by far is my calculator – I love a good number crunch and we wouldn’t be able to quote such fantastic prices without it! I genuinely would be absolutely lost without one – always scrambling to get my hands on one while quoting over the phone to clients and candidates – it is a key part of our negotiations in both salary and fees.

Lauren Patterson, Property Assistant, M4 Property Consultants, Cwmbran

Our laser measure is our favourite desk item because it saves us a lot of time when measuring properties and ensures accuracy. Although you should never play with lasers as of course they are dangerous, it can prove quite useful to remind colleagues across the room it is there turn to make the tea!

Paul Rich, centre manager, Cwmbran Shopping

My favourite item on my desk is my Welsh flag mug. Even though I’m English, I much prefer drinking tea from this mug - it just tastes so much better in Wales!

Dave Williams, MD of Happus, Caerphilly

My father-in-law gave this to me a few years ago and it's sat on my desk ever since. It's one of those metaphors for one person trying to take the load on himself. Personally it's how I guess we all feel at some point and it's normally then that I take a step back, think things through and work with my team to get the load lifted!

Fiona Weaver, graduate surveyor, Hutchings and Thomas Chartered Surveyors, Newport

My favourite item on my desk is my yellow NFU welly pen pot. It's special to me as it is a reminder of my time spent at The Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester, plus it brings a touch of country to the city of Newport!

Mike Morgan, owner, Llansantffraed Court Hotel, Abergavenny

My favourite item is a little book called 'Le Repertoire de la Cuisine' by Louis Saulnier, a student of Auguste Escoffier. I think that it was first published in 1910, and was given to me about 30 years ago when I had my first proper promotion into hotel management by my boss at the time. It’s a bit dog eared now, but I still refer to it now and again for inspiration on flavour combinations in the kitchen.