THOUSANDS of people turned out for the fifth annual Cwmbran Big Event at the weekend.

Crowds enjoyed a day of music and sports at the event at Cwmbran Boating Lake on Saturday, where even less than stellar weather couldn't dampen the atmosphere. There were a number of things to see including a Torfaen Leisure Trust raft race, and a dog show.

There were performances from Cwmbran Brass Band, Celtic Cafe Folk Band, Torfaen Music Centre Saxophone Ensemble and Amanda Ellis Street Dance. The headline act were The Switchtones.

Morgan Rawbone, 16, a singer songwriter from Greenmeadow, Cwmbran, performed on stage. She sang in front of the Queen last week who was in Cardiff to present the Royal Welsh with their new colours.

She said: "It was such an honour."

The teenager sang two original songs at the event in Cwmbran which were 'I miss you' and 'It's what you do to me.'

She said: "It was brilliant. It was my first year performing here.

"I love singing my own songs. It's really fun writing - I'm constantly recording hooks on my phone."

The Cwmbran teenager toured last year with Bars and Melody, the Britain's Got Talent finalist.

Around 65 pupils from the Dance Stars Academy in Cwmbran also . They age range from three to 18-years-old.

The youngest children, the Dancerellas, performed to Frozen's 'Let it go.'

Rhiane Clarkson, 33, dance coach at Dance Stars, said: "I think this event is brilliant. To be honest the kids love it they look forward to performing here every year."

There were hundreds of stalls, rides for small children, a petting zoo, a miniature railway, paddle boats, and a climbing wall.

Margaret Gush, 67, retired, of New Inn, said: "It is our first time here. It is very nice atmosphere - we are enjoying ourselves. It's a good crowd considering the weather."

Hayley Ford, 38, an accountant from St Julians in Newport, said: "I'm enjoying it. There are lots of good acts to see.

“We came last year as well. This year's main band is good."

Nick Thomas-Symonds, MP for Torfaen, said: "It's a wonderful community event. It's fantastic the number of people here as well.

“I have been before but this is my first time as MP."

Cllr Mike Johnston, chairman of Cwmbran Community Council, said: "It's a brilliant event for the community. Everybody seems to be enjoying themselves."