THE BRECON Jazz Festival is undoubtedly Wales' biggest celebration of finger-clickin', horn-blowin', toe-tappin' good stuff, but this weekend's Jazz in the Park festival in Pontypool has one indisputable advantage - it doesn't cost a red cent.

Last year more than 12,000 people travelled up to Pontypool Park to see a host of top acts, and this year organisers are looking to break that record with a truly international line-up.

Highlights include the Jim Mullen Organ Trio, with the eponymous Glaswegian widely acknowledged as one of the finest guitarists in the world, playing the Jazz Marquee at 9.15pm tonight, legend Henry Lowther, who has played for Sinatra and Sammy Davies Jr, blowing his trumpet in the marquee tomorrow at 9pm, or Russian saxophonist Oleg Kireyev in the Leisure Centre Park Lounge at 8pm on Sunday.

With almost 60 acts spread across six venues, the fun begins with the official opening performance by Jeff Hooper at 7.30pm in the marquee today, and doesn't stop until Sunday evening.

Festival organiser Tom Williams, who'll be performing with the Tom Williams Quintet at 12.15pm tomorrow in the Jazz Marquee, said: "An event of this quality obviously costs a lot of money.

"It can be difficult at times, but we've never wanted to change our free-entry policy.

"The musicians have once again responded magnificently, and all of them, including the big names, have lowered their usual fees."

For a full line-up and map pick up a programme for £2 at any of tonight's opening events, beginning at 7pm and ranging from Pontypool RFC Bar to the Museum Courtyard, to the park itself.