More than 1,800 young musicians are preparing for a major festival in Gwent this weekend.

The children, from all around South Wales, including hundreds from Gwent, will be competing at the Music For Youth Regional Festival at County Hall, Cwmbran, tomorrow and Sunday.

The event is part of a nationwide series of festivals being held in collaboration with The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music.

More than 50 musical groups are due to take part.

When the festival series ends in April, 42,000 young musicians, singers and dancers will have performed in the world's largest youth music festival.

Many of the performers will be invited by Music For Youth to play at Symphony Hall in Birmingham in July.

The top 30 groups in the country will then be invited to play on stage at the Royal Albert Hall in the Music For Youth Schools Prom Concerts in November.

Two years ago the Caerleon Comprehensive Orchestra played in the finale at the prestigious youth proms. This year they are rehearsing hard for this year's event and are taking six groups.

Teacher Carol Beer said: "This is a great event and we've had great success in the past. There is a real culture of music-making here."