PREPARATIONS for the weekend's Devauden music festival are almost complete, as the organisers report strong ticket sales for the two-day bonanza.

Hundreds of people are expected to descend on the Monmouthshire village on Friday and Saturday, to see more than 20 different acts from contrasting genres.

Caldicot band Rusty Shackle is headlining day one, while Bristol-based folk group Zang Tang is the main act on Saturday.

The event, in its second year, attracted around 600 people in 2010, and organiser Jeremy Horton said advance ticket sales are more than double this time around.

Sales are encouraging, given the festival was only given the go-ahead little over a month ago when it was saved by last minute talks.

There were fears plans were to be ditched due to rising costs, but Mr Horton secured a deal with main sponsors Protech. Funds from the festival go towards the upkeep of Devauden's village hall.

Money from 2010 helped provide an outdoor play area, lighting and an outdoor power source for the stage, which will come in handy this year.

The stage is being constructed on Thursday. Family tickets for the event, to admit two adults and two children are priced at £12 on Friday and £20 on Saturday.

Adult tickets are priced £5 and £8 respectively, with reduced admissions for under 18s.

The action on stage begins at 7pm on Friday and 1pm on Saturday.

Go to www.devaudenfest.com for full details.