IN a week’s time 24 bands will play for free in Blaenavon as part of a festival to raise funds to support a project for young people.

Blaenfest will raise money for the Neon Project that works with young people in the area from its community centre in Old William Street, offering a safe social environment.

If the festival is a sell out, it will raise over £3,500 for the project, which was threatened with closure due to lack of funds in April, and will help it to offer more services.

On August 30, Blaenfest will see bands from Blaenavon and the Gwent valley performing free of charge to raise money for the project encompassing all music genres.

Acts include Misled Truth from Caerleon, Sydney Fate from Caerphilly, Applied Science from Newport and headliners The Bleedin Noses from Blackwood.

Blaenavon’s own Lily Skyrme will appear on the acoustic stage along with Cardiff’s Ellie Makes Music.

Organiser, Neville Brooks, said: “The event offers something for everyone as there is a range of music and excitement is building in the town with half of the 500 tickets already sold.

“The main thing is that it will raise money for a great youth project and we hope that the event will showcase the Workmen’s Hall as a music venue.”

The event on August 30 will run at the Market Tavern and The Queens Hotel, from 12 noon to 5pm, and Blaenavon Workmen's Hall, from 6pm- 10pm.

£7.50 will allow entry into all venues and are available on the day or from Blaenavon Workmen's Hall, The NEON project and the Queens Hotel.

In April the manager of The Neon, Dan Oliver, explained that the hub was due to close, but after Blaenavon town councillors agreed to donate up to £2,000, The Neon’s future was secured until Christmas.

This donation, plus money from Blaenfest, has bought the project, which is run by volunteers, time to apply for bigger grants to secure its future.

As well as providing the youth club, The Neon also hosts workshops, such as Bridges into Work, which benefits the whole community.