THEY came in their thousands from every corner of the UK, to be part of an historic day and bring hope to Tsunami-struck countries.

And as Cardiff's Millennium Stadium rocked to a finale after more than seven hours of non-stop music on Saturday, 61,000 people - 2,400 of them from Gwent - got the news they'd been waiting for. A massive £1,250,000 had been raised.

The day started as it had to, with the four gigantic video screens on either side of the stage replaying the horrific images we've come to know so well - the faces of the children who've been orphaned, and the awful destruction of the killer waves which claimed 220,000 lives.

Feeder front man Grant Nicholas, delighted to be back in Wales and on the same bill as fellow Gwent rock legends the Manic Street Preachers, said he'd been moved by the horrendous images.

"People should hopefully have a good time as well, while not forgetting why we're here," the Chepstow musician said.

There was an unmistakably Welsh flavour to the day which took just three weeks to organise, from the Red Dragon flags and inflatable daffodils held aloft to the wealth of native talent on the bill.

And echoes of Live Aid were also in evidence - an inspiration for both the performers, who played for free, and the organisers. Band Aid veteran Midge Ure even dropped in to say hello.

"We took inspiration from Queen and Live Aid, and just tried to rock as hard as we could," said Manics bassist Nicky Wire.

It was a role model which sprung to mind for Goldie Lookin' Chain's P- Zaine, who said he 'felt like Freddie Mercury'.

But as Nicky Wire was at pains to point out: "It's the easiest thing in the world to turn up and play - it's all about the people who bought the tickets."

And the crowd made it a day to remember - an incredible bobbing mass of humanity, singing along and cheering with a deafening enthusiasm.

The last word went to volunteer steward Danny Stevens from Albert Avenue, Maindee, one of the 1000-strong team of staff and crew.

"If you can't give a little bit on your day off for people who haven't got a house to live in..well," he shrugged.