WITH more than 100,000 visitors, races, fireworks, fun fairs, falconry and fire eating, the Big Cheese Festival in Caerphilly is the perfect day out for kids.

The festival swings into action this weekend with festivities kicking off today, at 6pm with the Great Cheese Race and a spectacular fireworks display painting the Caerphilly skies at 10pm.

Tomorrow and Sunday the festival site, which is located on Crescent Road at the rear of Caerphilly Castle, will come alive with music, entertainers and battle re-enactments.

There is an added bonus at this year's festival with free entry for everyone to Caerphilly's historic castle.

There is also a Tommy Cooper marquee along with an open air music stage featuring The Railmen, The Amigos, and 9X dead.

Some of the many attractions include the Knights of Longshanks, where you can watch Welsh knights throw down the gauntlet and do battle with their English overlords, talk to the knights and try on their weapons and armour and experience medieval medicine.

For all the bird-loving kids out there, you can watch Roger James with his spectacular display of hawks, owls and falcons.

The day is not just for kids, all the family can visit the cheese market, craft fair and living history villages all demonstrating what's best in Welsh culture and hospitality.

Leader of the Caerphilly county borough council, Councillor Harry Andrews, said: "The Big Cheese Festival is the highlight of the council's annual events calendar and really helps put Caerphilly on the map. "With the event offering everything for everyone I would urge everyone to come along and soak up the fun and sunshine."

For more information about the event log on to the Big Cheese website at the council's site www.caerphilly.gov.uk or contact Caerphilly Visitor Centre on 02920 880011. Hannah Mlatem