CROWDS flocked to Newport city centre this weekend to enjoy the urban beach in John Frost Square.
With the sun shining, people enjoyed the seaside atmosphere in the city centre.
The event, dubbed Life’s A Beach, takes place today and tomorrow and has been staged by Newport Now Business Improvement District, as part of its drive to stage events to bring more people into the city centre.
Hani Alaster, from the Stow Hill area of Newport, was at the event with his wife Afnan and their daughter Talen.
The 28-year-old said: "We were just passing by when we saw the beach, we didn't know about it but it is a very nice surprise.
"It is very good there are events like this. It is so professional and well-organised. My daughter really likes it - she has been playing with the sand for about an hour."
The dad said they will would be visiting the beach again on Sunday and that he would like it if there were more events like it in Newport.
The beach - 23m x 4m - runs along the Sainsburys side of the square, and comprises high quality, washed golden play sand.
Fifty deckchairs and bucket and spade sets are available for visitors and 600 exclusive black and amber I Love Newport sticks of rock will be given away at the free event.
Buskers and football freestyler Ash Randall will be among the attractions.
Rebecca Hamblin, from the Bettws area of Newport, was at the event with her family.
She said: "It is fantastic, we need more things like this. I love the atmosphere.
"It is really child-friendly, which is really nice."
Miss Hamblin said events like this are good for the community as well as for the economy, as it brings people into the city centre.
The sand was delivered by lorry to Llanarth Street shortly before 8pm last night, and was transported the short distance to the beach site by a relay of wheelbarrows. It will taken away after festivities end on Sunday evening.
Kevin Ward, manager of Newport BID, said: "It is going really well and we have been lucky with the weather.
"We knew it was going to be popular, it has been busy since it opened at 10am.
"The buskers are going down very well and we have football free styling in a bit."
He said they will look at doing something similar next summer.
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