AN EVENING with rugby stars in Usk has raised more than £5,000 for next year's Monmouthshire Eisteddfod.

The event was organised by the Usk, Raglan and Penperllenni appeal committee, who have to raise £30,000 for the National Eisteddfod - to be held in Castle Meadows, Abergavenny, from July 31 to August 6.

All the community appeal committees in Monmouthshire together will have to raise £300,000 towards the Eisteddfod. 

Eddie Butler, who played for Wales and the British and Lions, hosted a question and answer sessions with fellow former rugby internationals.

All of the participants, aside from Rupert Moon, live in Monmouthshire. They included Welsh and British and Irish Lions players Gerald Davies and Bryn Meredith along with Joe Lydon who played for Great Britain.

Around 108 people enjoyed the evening which included a three course meal. The evening which was held at the Glen-Yr-Afon Hotel in Usk last week raised more than £5,200 towards the Usk, Raglan and Penperllenni appeal committee's fundraising which pushes their total passed £11,000.

Susan Cowburn and Meirion Howells, from the committee, organised the evening which included an auction and a raffle. The auction raised £1,500 and prizes included a Mumph original caricature of Gerald Davies, a signed Cardiff Blues shirt and a signed Glamorgan Cricket shirt.

Ms Cowburn said: "It was a very enjoyable evening and very relaxing. It was more of a chat show type thing than formal talks - Eddie Butler acted as the host bringing in the different topics and then a question and answer session followed."

Mr Howells said: "We heard some interesting stories especially about the World Cup."

The Abergavenny committee are halfway in their fundraising efforts as they work towards their target of £100,000. 

The festival, which attracts 160,000 visitors every year, was last held in Monmouthshire in 1913.

Organisers of the Eisteddfod predict that Monmouthshire will take in £6million to £8 million for the week-long festivities. Monmouthshire council will have to provide £580,000 towards hosting the event. 

For more information on the Eisteddfod or to get involved in fundraising go to www.eisteddfod.wales.