THIS is the first exclusive and spectacular glimpse inside the impressive Eisteddfod pavilion at Tredegar House as the countdown for the festival approaches its final couple of days.

As workers and builders complete the construction of the impressive 31-acre site, the hundreds of musicians, speakers and dancers such as Naomi-Gwen Goddard, who will appear in the Ffatri Freuddwydion show on Tuesday night, are putting the finishing touches to their performances. Festival chairman Dr John Hughes said: "There are a lot of people, Welsh speakers and non Welsh speakers, who have been working very hard to support the Eisteddfod preparations."

The huge yellow and blue pavilion is the focal point for visitors, with the 3,500-seat venue the setting for the scores of competitions, ceremonies and evening concerts.

On Friday the pavilion will come alive as the traditional pomp of the opening ceremony is followed by Gorfoledd Gwent - an evening of entertainment from across Gwent with local artists and young performers putting on a spectacular show.

Among the main attractions in the pavilion on the Monday, Wednesday and Friday will be the Gorsedd ceremonies, where poets and prose writers are honoured in ceremonial fashion.

Members of the Gorsedd of the Bards in their colourful and spectacular robes award a crown, medal and chair for outstanding literary achievement.

And on Thursday the pavilion will be the venue for a special ceremony welcoming home hundreds of Welsh exiles from all over the world. People wanting to attend the ever popular evening shows are being advised to book their tickets early.

For those who remember the site when the Eisteddfod last came to Newport, in 1988, the site has changed beyond recognition. It has virtually doubled in size and is home to 325 stands, ranging from pottery shops to harp sellers and more food stalls than ever before.