THE organisers of the biggest music festival ever to be held in Blaenau Gwent have suffered a major setback after their advertising trailer was stolen in Newport.

The organisers of the Steelhouse International Classic Rock Festival, which takes place at Hafod-y-Dafal Farm, near Ebbw Vale next month, were shocked to discover the mobile billboard, which had been chained to a van, was stolen from a lay-by at Highcross on Saturday afternoon.

Festival organiser and founder, Matt Rhead said the theft of trailer nicknamed the “Steelmobeel” could put a serious dent in the publicity of the event, which will bring rock band Reef and Gwent band Feeder to Blaenau Gwent.

He said: "We have a tremendous line up this year and a spectacular site to host it on but it all hinges on getting the message out to the music fans of South Wales to ensure that we get the audience that an event of this size deserves".

"The value of the trailer is unimportant, the bigger problem is the time it will take to produce a replacement. With less than five weeks until the event, this period of time is critical".

The trailer, measuring four metres-long and two metres high, was reported stolen at 3.25pm. Gwent Police say enquiries are on-going.

Mr Rhead, who runs festival promotion company, Limeface, is offering VIP weekend passes to anyone who has information leading to the recovery of the trailer. Call Gwent Police on 101 or Limeface on 01495 370080 or email info@limeface.co.uk