THE first coffee festival in Wales launches in Newport this weekend.

Newport Coffee Festival will be hosted on Saturday in the Gallery Space, upstairs in Newport Market, on High Street, between 10am and 6pm.

This unique event, hosted by Horton's Coffee House, aims to bring caffeine lovers together to celebrate the city centre gradually becoming a hub for independent coffee shops.

Employee at Horton's Coffee House, Scott Lewis, said: "We’re hosting Newport Coffee Festival to show how well independent coffee shops are doing, and how speciality coffee is gaining popularity in the UK.

"We are trying to keep is as local as possible. Hopefully it will mean increased quality in coffee on offer at Newport. A lot of people don't realise what speciality coffee means; it's basically going to farmers and seeing the process of producing coffee.

"It's more organic than mass produced coffee, which means better quality and taste."

Horton's Coffee Shop and Quarters Coffee, both located on Millennium Walk, are currently the only speciality coffee shops in the city centre.

Mr Lewis will be joined with Horton's Coffee Shop owner, Gavin Horton, and Rogue Fox Coffee House owner, Will Green, at the festival.

There are a range of activities taking place, such as demonstrations by local roasters including Clifton, Welsh Coffee, Manumit and Uncommon Ground.

Bakeries taking part include Abergavenny's Angel Bakery, Newport's Carrot Top Bakery, Ebbw Vale's Clams Handmade Cakes and others.

There will be challenges, such as making a flat white in under a minute, and latte art competitions. For those who prefer their coffee Irish, Rival Brewing Co will be available, selling local craft beer.

Sponsors of the festival include: Mead Farm Foods, Global Brands, Clifton Coffee, Best Water Technology who will supply free water, Experience Bar who host pop-up board game nights in coffee shops, and Project Waterfall.

Project Waterfall aims to supply clean water to coffee growing communities, with ticket proceeds going to them.

People are already buzzing for the festival, which organisers hope will become an annual event.

"This is just the start. Next year we are planning for an even bigger event," added Mr Lewis.

Tickets for Newport Coffee Festival are £4, and can be purchased at the door on the day, or in advance on Eventbrite.