Just the ticket - Eisteddfod sales on the rise

Llangollen's International Eisteddfod is celebrating a record season ticket sale, almost a month before the festival opens.

Organisers say sales are up by eight per cent.

The eisteddfod, which runs from July 6-11, with an opening concert on July 4, will this year welcome competitors from 50 countries as well as a host of big names including Katherine Jenkins, Nigel Kennedy and electro-string quartet, Bond.

Bosses had feared that the recession may have affected ticket sales. But chief executive Mervyn Cousins said today that season ticket sales were already better than they had been for the past three years.

"We now have a platinum ticket which gives holders access to everything during the week except the opening concert," he said.

"Taking all ticket sales into consideration advance sales are up by eight per cent. But we have set ourselves challenging targets and we are not being complacent. We know these are hard times and we have set our prices accordingly with a range of offers.

"For example for just £1 people watching the parade on the Tuesday can follow it back into the showground and see a world party with concerts on outdoor stages."

One of the most popular concerts is proving to be Only Men Aloud, the choir which sprung to fame in the TV show Last Choir Standing.