There was only one blight on this year's Usk Open Gardens week-end, when vandals stole the banner advertising the event from the railings of the HSBC bank in Twyn Square. The banner was removed on Friday night, just before the event was due to start and the Open Gardens committee is asking for its return or any information as to its whereabouts.

Co-Chairman Margaret Evans said, "I wish whoever took it could have been at the awards evening some days later, when we donated funds to local charities. They would have heard the moving words from the recipients such as St Anne's Hospice and Ty Hafan Children's Hospice. Their description of the work they do brought tears to the eyes of many present. To replace the banner will cost us £300, which is money which could go t o these and other deserving causes."

Those who have the banner can return it, no questions asked, either to the front of HSBC, the steps of the Sessions House in Maryport Street, or any other public place where it will be given back to the committee.