USK Festival kicked off over the weekend, and the town was full of people enjoying the busy programme of events.

Events included Usk Open Gardens and the Duck Race at Usk Athletic Club. Musical entertainment came from Doc and the Revd who played to an appreciative crowd at the Inn Between, and local band Innovence played to a packed house at the Three Salmons Hotel, part of the Big Garden Party.

For one jazz enthusiast however, the adventure has only just begun as he embarks on a 10,000 mile trip to see his clarinet hero, Acker Bilk take to the stage on Thursday at the Festival.

24-year-old Michael Danne, a car sprayer from Melbourne in Australia is a life-long fan of Jazz and Acker Bilk in particular, and when he heard that he was playing in Usk during his time travelling around Europe he was determined not to miss it.

His mother, Anne, said: "He leaves Melbourne tonight for Belgium and then the Django Reinhardt Festival in Samois, his first overseas trip. He is very excited about it and is also a bit nervous about getting all the connections right to get to the concert on time.

"I can't believe the effort it will take him to get there. Oh to be so young and keen."

Mr Danne is an experienced Jazz clarinet player, and has been playing in a variety of jazz and swing bands.

He loves his music and as he probably won't get back to Europe for many years he felt it was a once in a lifetime opportunity to get to see one of his idols performing live.

Festival director, David Sansom, has arranged for Mr Danne to meet his hero and to have photos taken.

Acker Bilk and Kenny Ball play Usk Festival on Thursday, June 28. Tickets available on 01291 672207.