Stereophonics gig disruption as heat damages rail track

The Stereophonics played in Cardiff later on Saturday

Rail services were cancelled after tracks were damaged in the hot weather, affecting fans travelling to a Stereophonics concert in Cardiff.

Transport for Wales (TfW) apologised and said services between Pontypridd, Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare had been affected as infrastructure teams needed to restore the line.

It meant fans, especially those coming from Cwmaman, Rhondda Cynon Taf, where the band formed, had to make their own way to the Welsh capital.

Meanwhile a series of running events, ranging from 10K to ultra marathon, as well as a 24-hour challenge, taking palce in Eryri, also known as Snowdonia, were called off.

Wales recorded its hottest day of the year on Saturday as Bute Park in Cardiff reached 33.1C, closely followed by Friday which saw a high of 32.7C in Usk, Monmouthshire.

TfW said it was operating "a full event queue and plan at Cardiff Central [rail] station" following the Stereophonics gig, but there would be "limited" travel north of Pontypridd towards Aberdare and Merthyr, with ticket acceptance in place on local bus services.

Bosses at Cardiff's Principality Stadium warned concert-goers to check before they travelled due to the disruption.

Beaches such as this one in Aberdyfi, Gwynedd, were packed on Saturday - but the extreme heat caused disruption elsewhere

A series of running events taking place in Eryri, also known as Snowdonia, were cancelled.

Races including 10K, half marathon, marathon and ultra marathon distances were called off, while the Yr Wyddfa - Snowdon24 event - which sees participants ascend and descend Yr Wyddfa as many times as possible in 24 hours - was also stopped by organisers due to "extreme temperatures".

Runner were "safely escorted off the mountain by our event staff and mountain leader team", organisers said.