IF you missed out on the chance of a ticket for Saturday's Millennium Stadium tsunami concert, don't worry.

For another show is being staged in Newport at the same time - by the city's buskers.

The cream of Newport's street musicians are gathering together for a special one-off music day to raise money for Asian communities devastated by the tidal wave.

Stephen Sillett, known locally as Shelley, has been playing in Newport for more than 20 years and is a central figure in the city's street music community.

The 38-year-old IT administrator, who lives near Barrack Hill, said: "There's a real network of us buskers in Newport, we all know each other and we felt we were in a position to help.

"We are working with Oxfam, who have provided us with letters to show the public to prove we are the real deal, and sealed buckets."

Joining singer-songwriter Shelley will be several friends, including fellow guitarists Dave Thomas and Mark Pearce,'Gerry the Flute', Rob The Busker and a mandolin player from Plymouth.

The group will play in John Frost Square between 10am and 4pm, close to the Chartists mosaic, before hosting a special acoustic open mic session in Langton's Wine Bar, Charles Street, on Saturday night.

Mr Sillett said: "I've played all across Europe, as well as locally, and generally feel a warm response from the public wherever I go.

"Music cheers people up during the day, but on Saturday it's going to be far more important than all that.

"We have all been moved by what we've seen in the aftermath of the tsunami tragedy, and live music has always had a role to play in the wake of human disasters."

The band, who will call themselves Poppycock, will play a range of original material and 60s' and 70s' classics, as well as some traditional songs.

The Millennium Stadium gig in Cardiff is a 61,000 sell-out featuring acts like Gwent's Manic Street Preachers and Feeder, Eric Clapton, Keane and Snow Patrol.