MORE than 6,000 people are expected to descend on Abergavenny's Bailey Park for this year's Welsh Warrior Festival.

The festival, now in its fourth year, will be held over four days, instead of two, over the August Bank Holiday.

The event raises money for The Richard Hunt Foundation, a charity set up in September 2009 in memory of Private Richard Hunt.

Pte Hunt, from Abergavenny, was the 200th solider to lose his life while serving in Afghanistan and died in August 2009 aged 21.

The charity has raised more than £140,000 and has been contacted by around 50 Welsh personnel.

It aims to provide grants for specialised equipment to short breaks for Welsh service personnel and their families and to raise awareness of those servicemen and women injured physically and mentally.

Richard's mum, Hazel Hunt said the event could raise between £10,000 and £20,000 which could be used to help veterans to receive treatment for post-traumatic stress, helping to buy a new cooker and by paying towards a veteran's fuel expenses.

The charity also helps with financial advice and debt management, which she says is one of the big problems for those who leave the force suddenly due to illness or injury.

The festival launches with a ticketed big band night from 6.30pm on August 23.

Mrs Hunt said: " It will be a poignant day as it would have been his 26th birthday. "

"He loved music of all kinds and this will be a celebration of his life, his achievements and in recognition of everyone who has served in the armed forces."

Entertainment includes a tribute night on August 24, a live and unsigned night on August 25 both midday to 10pm and a family fun day on August 26 between 10am and 7pm.

There will also be stalls, a Mediterranean market, a licensed bar and firework display.

Festival organisers have enlisted the help of SoundbaseUK to organise the event and that all the acts are giving their time for free.

Festival manager, Emily Richards said: “Every penny raised stays in Wales and goes to Welsh Servicemen and women or their families. All funds are generated through the festival and we do not receive any funding so we owe the local residents a huge thank you, which isn't really enough, for supporting us thus far. “

The event runs between August 23 and 26.

Tickets cost £5 per day for adults, £3.50 for children and concessions or £12 for a pass, not including Friday night.

For details visit welshwarriorfestival.com