Llangollen Eisteddfod 'variety in tough economic times'

Boy band McFly will close the festival on Sunday

The organisers of the 65th Llangollen International Eisteddfod say tough economic times have helped prompt them to offer a variety of entertainment.

Lulu, Rick Astley and Kiki Dee began proceedings on Monday evening, with McFly the headline act on Sunday night.

There are a host of other events taking place during the week-long festival.

Income generation manager Christine Duke said they were naturally aware of the economy and wanted a line-up to appeal to a broad range of people.

"We're conscious of course of the economic situation that everybody's in and that we would like to offer something that would appeal to everybody, whether they be young people or people who enjoy opera or people who enjoy a bit of nostalgia that we did last night."

Ms Duke said the core of the Eisteddfod was making friendship through music.

"It's the root and is still an ethos that is important to the festival - the most important thing in many ways."

She said Tuesday would see almost 4,000 youngsters "coming to hear the message of peace from the children of Wales to the children of the world," followed by a parade through the town of competitors who have arrived so far.