GWENT Police are urging visitors to the National Eisteddfod to use public transport ahead of tonight's opening ceremony as up to 150,000 people descend on Tredegar House for the week-long festival.

And they are warning motorists to expect some traffic chaos, particularly around the Junction 28 area, during the festival week.

Police have been working with festival organisers to try to reduce problems as thousands of motorists head to the Eisteddfod.

A Gwent Police spokeswoman said: "We have put in place measures which we hope will avoid traffic problems. We have done everything we can to minimise congestion but some can be expected.

"We are advising visitors to use public transport when possible." Parking at the Eisteddfod is free and there will be directions to overflow car parks where regular shuttle buses will take people to and from the festival site. People coming to the Eisteddfod from outside Newport will be directed to Junction 28 where signposts will direct them to the nearest available car park.

Newport Transport have introduced a new hourly bus service to take people arriving in Newport by train to the Eisteddfod.

The buses will take people from the lay-by outside the station to the Eisteddfod via the bus station on the hour between 9am and 5pm. The service will leave stand 31 at the bus station at five past the hour.

And the usual 15A and 15C bus services which head to Duffryn from stand 17 will leave every 15 minutes during the day.

Bike stands will be situated outside the Eisteddfod entrance. A police spokeswoman added: "Shuttle buses will be available from the camping grounds and overflow car parks.

"We are advising people to try and arrive outside the peak times which will be between 10am and 12pm and if possible to leave between 4pm and 6pm.

"Traffic reports will be updated regularly and message boards will be displayed on the M4."