HUNDREDS flocked to Gwent attractions for a weekend of Easter fun.

A wise woman able to cure any ailment and a chance to try on medieval armour were among the activities arranged by a 15th century re-enactment group at Tredegar House.

The group, called Bowmen of the Rose, gave both children and adults the chance to see what Easter and life in general would have been like in medieval times.

Ann Tame, heritage officer at Tredegar House, said: "We had a free flow system instead of guided tours around the house and the whole house was open.

"The group wore traditional armour and gave people a chance to try it on.

"Branwen the Wise woman had all sorts of potions of herbs and spices and told people how illnesses would have been cured in those days.

"We also had displays of jewellery, clothes and other items they would have used in those days.

"Normally we do an Easter egg hunt on Easter Monday, but this year we thought we would do something different. Parts of the house are medieval so we thought we would use the house in that way."

Meanwhile children and their parents were welcomed to the Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway by the Easter Bunny who dished out chocolate eggs and posed for pictures with the young visitors.

Volunteers at the railway set the 1959 vintage 108 DMU train off every half hour on a three-quarter-of-a-mile journey from Furnace Sidings to Garn-yr-Erw. Organisers played a host of games with the children along the way and many youngsters made the most of the good weather by enjoying a picnic.

Assistant traffic manager Alex Hinshelwood said: "It's been a fantastic weekend. We've tried to make it the best possible experience for the kids. It makes it all worthwhile when you see the children and their parents going home smiling."

Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway has around 200 members from all over the UK. The group buy and refurbish old trains for visitors to ride on.