YOUNG stars from the pop world put on an electrifying show to make Party in the Park a blistering success.

But the real stars were the 20,000 rain-sodden fans - including hundreds of Argus ticket winners - who cheered along at Coopers Field in Cardiff yesterday.

Despite the rain - torrential at times - they sang, screamed and jumped about to the sounds of chart-toppers Liberty X, Girls Aloud, Atomic Kitten and Mark Owen among others.

American newcomer Billy Crawford, who thrilled the crowds with his performance of new single You Didn't Expect That, said afterwards: "The crowd was bananas, the Welsh are brilliant people to party with."

Mark Owen, formerly of Take That, used the day to promote new material including 4 Minute Warning, a single due for release in August.

Owen said: "I love this kind of access to fans, and what great fans.

"As Take That we always loved performing - touring and roadshows are the best part of the job. I'm not sure how the single will do but if I can emulate the success of the Cheeky Girls, I'll be happy."

Liberty X were, like many of the artists at Coopers Field, on a tight schedule yesterday and were due to dash across to Swansea for a similar event before heading back to Bristol for another gig.

Despite such gruelling routines they turned in a storming set featuring smash hits Just a Little and Being Nobody as well as songs from their forthcoming album.

Jessica from Liberty X said: "The travelling is tiring and I didn't sleep much after a concert last night but once you arrive, hear the crowd and get excited, you shake off your tiredness.

"We love coming to Cardiff, we've been here at Party in the Park every year since we've been together. It's become an annual fixture, I think it's our third time now. I love the reactions of the people here, they don't care about the rain, they just want a good time."

It wasn't just on stage that celebrities could be found - Newport's own 400-metre ace Jamie Baulch was there with his son Jay, 8, and girlfriend Susannah to enjoy the party.

Baulch said: "We're having a great time checking out all the music. It's a huge event and it's brilliant for South Wales."

And Big Brother favourite Gos was also wandering the crowd, here to "see a bit of Wales."

The event finished with a bang as headliners Atomic Kitten took to the stage to sing a string of their classics.