OPERA. The very word is enough to scare away many people who think that an acquaintance with Wagner and Puccini, not to mention a smattering of German and Italian, is necessary to even begin to understand.

But young baritone Karl Daymond insists there's nothing to be scared of - and he's putting his talent where his mouth is at a special Opera Gala at Chepstow Castle on Monday.

And the show, which also features the vocal performances of Pippa Longworth and Lindsey Kidd with accompaniment from Sharon Richards on piano, is a hometown gig for Karl, who moved to Chepstow 18 months ago.

He said: "It's wonderful - the upside or the downside of singing opera is that you travel around the world, but I'll just be able to walk across the road to the gala.

"The castle is such a great venue. I came here because it's a very pretty market town and so near the Wye Valley - I like walking there, plus it's very convenient for travel. "It was suggested we put something on here and it's a really exciting and enjoyable programme.

"A lot of people I know in the town haven't heard me sing, or have only heard it on TV or recording but never live in the flesh.

"People can bring a picnic and a bottle of wine along - it's going to be very informal." The gala will include works from Carmen, Don Giovanni, The Barber Of Seville, and some lighter numbers from Noel Coward and West Side Story.

It begins at 7.30pm on Monday at the castle and tickets are £7 or £5 concessions. Box office 01291 625391.