NEWPORT’S Transporter Bridge will be transformed into a stage for rock and a roll this afternoon.

A group of Elvis impersonators will play at the iconic Newport bridge at 5pm today as part of their walk across south Wales to raise awareness of mental health.

Peter Phillips, who runs the Porthcawl Elvis festival, said: “I run the Porthcawl Elvis festival, which is the biggest Elvis in the world. I set it up in 2004 and now it is attended by 35,000 people. It is a massive event.

“The festival is taking place this weekend coming and this year we thought we would use the press attention to Elvis to try to get a serious message across.

“My daughter Charlotte suffers from schizoaffective disorder, which is a form of schizophrenia, and she asked why didn’t I use the festival to promote Mind.”

Mr Phillips said his daughter goes through different cycles, but that every so often she goes through a “very bad” phase.

“She is very lucky to have a good mental health team around her, but when she goes through that stage they will ask me to come in,” he said. “I am lucky because I run a production company and a festival, so I am my own boss.

“With the walk, we are trying to raise awareness of one thing – we want employers to be more supportive of employees who care for someone with mental health problems.

“Let them dash out if there is an emergency.”

The walk started this morning from the Black Rock, in Caldicot, before heading to Newport, with a small group of participants. They will perform at the Newport Transporter Bridge at 5pm.

Tomorrow, the walk will heading towards Cardiff. It will finish on Saturday at the Elvis festival itself.

“This walk has taken me to places I never knew they existed,” said Mr Phillips. “I am more concerned about how it is going to go on Thursday when the weather is not good.”

Darren “Graceland” James, from Cwmbran, was one of the Elvis to join the walk today.

He said: “I think this is really important. Everyone has been affected by mental health, including myself.

“It is the first time the festival has come to this side of Wales so, when Peter suggested this, it was very flattering."

For more information, visit elvies.co.uk