INTERNATIONAL guests and ex-pats were welcomed onto the stage at the National Eisteddfod as part of the Wales and the World ceremony.

Welsh learners and those with an interest in Welsh culture arrived in Newport from all over the world, including Patagonia, Argentina, Italy, Australia, Saudi Arabia and America.

Doctor Ahmed Fatani, 59, a lecturer in biology at a Saudi Arabian university, said "My wife is a Welsh speaker whom I met when I studied at Swansea University.

"We have come back for a holiday and it's very nice that international guests are being made so welcome. It helps spread the culture of Wales and it's very educational."

Thursday is traditionally a more quiet one for the Eisteddfod, but fine weather kept the crowds pouring into the Tredegar House site.

Organisers said that visitor numbers remained higher than expected but they urged anyone in Gwent yet to visit the Eisteddfod to see it before the festival ends on Saturday.

Alison Evans, Sparkle appeal coordinator, said the stand was an ongoing success and had raised "a few hundred pounds" through donations and the sale of Sparkle goods.

John Griffiths, AM, has spent every day at the Maes and took part in a debate in Welsh about future Assembly powers.

Mr Griffiths, an honorary president of the Eisteddfod, said: "I've met many non-Welsh speaking people from Gwent here and they've all said how welcoming and friendly it is. It's great that they visit and realise that this is a great cultural festival that doesn't come to Newport very often."

Chief Inspector Julian Knight said that five lost children were returned to parents within 15 minutes on Wednesday. He said some parents had ingeniously written their mobile phone number on their child's arm.

Inspector Huw Nicholas said all traffic issues around Junction 28 had been resolved.

But he warned that anyone visiting the Sunday evening hymn performance could get stuck in traffic for the Charity Shield football match in Cardiff.

He added: "We advise people to set off before 5.30pm to avoid any congestion."