EXCITEMENT is building around the UEFA Champions League final this weekend, which will be hosted in Wales for the first time ever.

And it will be extra special for one young songwriter from Newport, who has been given the chance to perform at a festival celebrating the landmark event.

A four-day festival marking the final on Saturday, June 3, which will see Juventus and Real Madrid clash at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, will be held in Cardiff Bay, featuring live music, activities and other events.

Among those performing is 16-year-old Keiran Marsh of Maesglas, who earlier this year wowed judges in a national competition run by Capital FM and won the chance to write, record and release a single with talent agency The Famous Company.

Mum Cheryl said her son was excited to be given the opportunity to take part in the event.

“He was bouncing off the walls when he found out,” she said. “He wanted to keep it quiet and he just wanted to tell the world.

“It’s a really massive opportunity for him.

“He deserves it, he works so hard.”

Keiran, who is on Twitter as @KieranMarsh10, will perform a one-hour set on the first day of the festival on Thursday, June 1, from 5pm.

Meanwhile while anyone out and about this weekend, whether travelling to Cardiff for the game or doing something else, is being advised to leave in plenty of time, with massive disruption expected on the M4 and other main roads throughout the area, as well as rail and bus routes.

Around 200,000 people are expected to visit Cardiff over the weekend, along with 2,500 members of the media, while 200 million are expected to watch the event on television.

Wales’ economy secretary Ken Skates said: “The challenges that come with being the smallest city ever to host such an event should not be underestimated, not least in ensuring that every aspect of the infrastructure and transport network is primed to best serve south Wales and it’s many visitors.”

Extra trains with space for up to 60,000 passengers are being provided, along with more than 1,250 coaches. A temporary additional terminal at Cardiff Airport will also be set up to welcome people coming to the capital from abroad.

For information visit cardiff2017.wales/travel