A UNIQUE opportunity awaits children in Gwent this weekend - the chance to be a Roman soldier for the day.

The Roman Legionary Museum and Cadw will be holding the joint event in Caerleon Amphitheatre on July 13 and 14.

Among the highlights of the Roman festival of fun are military displays including a show of cavalry and artillery skills and an opportunity for the children to march in the ampitheatre as part of the 'Junior Legion'.

The weekend is also the 30th anniversary of the Ermine Street Guard, one of Britain's top re-enactment societies.

Created in 1972 the Ermine Street Guard have gone on to be the most filmed Roman group, with appearances on programmes such as TimeTeam and TimeWatch.

The Museum garden will stage demonstrations to celebrate the Roman way of life.

You can discover all the gory details of Roman medicine, learn and taste some authentic style Roman cookery, prepared by Sally Grainger, who has appeared on Adam Hart-Davies programme What the Romans Did For Us.

For any bargain hunters out there, a craft fair will also take place in Ffwrwrn over the two days.

The fun gets starts at 10 am on both Saturday and Sunday and finishes at 5pm.

Admission price (includes event in the Ampitheatre, entry to Museum Garden and Fortress Baths) adults £4, concessions £2, family (two adults and three children) £10.

* In Pontypool, Little Mill Village Hall stages its annual fete on Saturday. David Davies, AM for Monmouth, will be opening the event which features an Usk Band, Clogg Dancing and a number of stalls, including a bar. The fete is in aid of Little Mill Village Hall funds.

* There is a chance for nature lovers to get up close with insects and wildflowers on Saturday between 10 and 11.30 am at the Rogiet Poorland nature reserve, near Caldicot as part of the Wldlife Trust's Learn about Wildlife programme.

* The Greenlawn social club at New Inn, Pontypool is staging a family barbecue on Sunday July 14 between 2pm and 6pm. The entertainment features a disco, face painting and a bouncy castle with proceeds in aid of Annette's school of dance.