Jazz in the Park cancelled

Stormy weather has forced the cancellation of this weekend's Jazz in the Park in Pontypool, due to start tonight.

Two of the marquees were reportedly under four inches of water after the Afon Llwyd burst its banks.

Torfaen Council staff and festival organisers were working hard to recover the staging and equipment before the weather got any worse.

More than fifty concerts were due to take place from September 5 to 7 in four venues around Pontypool Park, with headliners including Stan Tracey, the Grand Union Orchestra, Ubizo and Alan Barnes along with a host of Welsh jazz acts.

Sally Church, Torfaen Council's Head of Leisure and Community services said: "It is with great regret that we have had to cancel this long awaited and anticipated event.

"The organisers have done all they can but the weather has unfortunately beaten us. People who have bought tickets can get a refund from the Congress Theatre."

The box office can be contacted on 01633 868239.

It would have been the ninth annual Jazz in the Park, the second biggest jazz festival in Wales after Brecon.

See www.pontypooljazzinthepark.co.uk for further details.

Thanks to Richard Saunders for the photo.