NEWPORT residents can look forward to the largest and most spectacular programme of events ever seen in the city.

That was the promise at last night's official launch of Newport Festival 2010 at the Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre.

Highlights are due to include tightrope walkers above the city, breathtaking fire shows lighting up the River Usk and fairground rides along the riverside.

Big names in music, arts and comedy are also heading to Newport.

It is all part of the plans for everyone in the city to have an opportunity to celebrate the staging of the Ryder Cup at the Celtic Manor Resort next October.

Council bosses are determined there will be something for everyone to feel good about and, starting in March, there will be hundreds of events taking place right across the city including a community arts project which could be the largest ever in Wales.

Council leader Matthew Evans said the next 12 months promised to be among the most memorable in Newport's modern history and was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to raise the city's profile on a global stage.

"Clearly the eyes of the world will be on Newport as we build up to the Ryder Cup and the fact that we are a city capable of hosting one of the world's great sporting occasions should give everyone in the city a huge amount of pride.

"But the next 12 months are about so much more than golf and with our exciting plans for the Newport Festival 2010, thousands of residents can be involved in a huge programme of events that will live long in the memory."

More details will be announced in the run-up to the festival.