GHOSTS, ghouls and goblins invaded Gwent over the weekend as young and old enjoyed some truly spooky Hallowe’en activities and events.

One of the biggest events of the weekend was held in Pontypool on Saturday, where hundreds braved the rain to see youngsters take part in the first ever zombie 'dance off'.

Dance groups of all ages from across Gwent came to take part in the Hallowe'en event set across the town centre and the Indoor Market.

Shops inside the historical trading space were given ghoulish makeovers, with several activities on offer including facepainting, a monster hunt, pumpkin decorating and traditional Hallowe'en games.

The newly-opened Dress to Impress was transformed into a ‘Zombie Boutique’, where visitors had the chance to have their pictures taken amidst a zombie graveyard.

Owners Jackie and Cliff Mullen enjoyed the event and described the response to the store as "fantastic".

Outside, the weather did little to put off the crowds as MC Mad Mel played creepy classics such as 'Thriller', 'Time Warp', 'Monster Mash' and the theme tune from Ghostbusters to entice the crowd several times over.

Dance troupe Powerhouse Dance Studio kicked things off before making way for Emma Gould's Fit Bound show.

Pontypool's Curves group then took to the stage, recruiting a small group of youngsters to join in with their routines.

The first group of zombies from Street Fit, the brainchild of Cwmbran-based Amanda Ellis, saw youngsters from Cwmbran, Blaenavon, New Inn and Garn take on the signature hits.

After a short break, members of the Dance Stars Academy impressed the crowd with their complex routines over several songs.

The second group of Street Fit dancers involved dancers from Pontynewynydd, Garn and New Inn to close out the day.

The event was jointly organised by staff at the Indoor Market and community group Friends of Pontypool Town, while also being supported by Torfaen County Borough Council.

Nikola Masters, of the Pontypool friends group, said: "We've ran about three or four vintage days here in the centre but this was something new that we could try it again next year."

"It has a real community focus, we wanted everyone from the community to get involved to raise the profile of Pontypool town centre."

In Blaenavon volunteers transformed the Heritage Railway into a spooky ghost train, with visitors passing through the transformed Furnace Sidings station and onto the Whistle Inn with a gaggle of ghoulish characters on board and games for youngsters.

The Fireman’s Shovel refreshment room also transformed for the three day event, serving a variety of treats such as hot dog fingers and spooky hot chocolate.

The event ends today, Monday, and is suitable for all ages, with trains running from 4pm until 9pm.

In Newport the first-ever Rogerstone Hallowe’en was held at the recreation ground in Tregwilym Road and saw around 500 people enjoy some spooky fun.

Adrian Mason, who runs the Y Cwt café, also known as The Hut, alongside Emily Jones, put the event together and said he was surprised by how many people had turned up.

He added it had been such a success plans were already in place for a repeat next year.

“This year was just a tester,” he said.

“We’ll absolutely definitely be doing it again next year. It’ll all be bigger and better and we’ve got plans to have it go on until the evening as well.”

The event raised cash for HCPT Group 99, a city charity dedicated to taking children with a combination of needs on holiday.

The group’s leader Mike Halford said: “It was very successful and something that can be built on next year.

“The response was a good one.”

Rogerstone ward councillor Chris Evans also had a hand in organising the event and said it was “frightfully good fun”.

Cllr Evans also thanked Mr Morgan, Ms Jones and Mr Halford for their part in putting the event together, as well as Newport West AM Jayne Bryant, who helped judge the fancy dress costume contest.

Elsewhere in Newport on Saturday afternoon families got the chance to enjoy a screening of animated Hotel Transylvania at a special video wall at the indoor market. Youngsters also got the chance to hunt witches hidden around the High Street, with prizes for anyone who could find all 10.

The film was picked in a poll run by the Argus, with the event run by Newport NOW.

And in the evening crowds flocked to Chepstow Racecourse to enjoy a Hallowe'en fireworks display.

Hundreds descended on the venue to take part in a host of family events including a funfair, street entertainers and Bruno Mars and Beyonce tribute acts. Children were kept entertained in the warm by a magician and a bubble fairy show.

The evening culminated in a fantastic 30 minute fireworks display set up on the racing course which wowed the crowd.

For more pictures of Hallowe’en fun in Newport and further afield visit southwalesargus.co.uk.