NEWPORT will host a festival of Nato-themed culture and food ahead of the summit hosted by the city in September.

The celebration on the Saturday before Bank Holiday Monday will feature a flypast by a Spitfire and Hurricane from the RAF's Battle of Britain Memorial flight and a display from the Parachute Regiment's team, the Red Devils.

The event will kick off at 11:00am on 23 August when 50 musicians from the Band of the Household Cavalry will perform in the heart of the city. The band will then move over to Rodney Parade to provide entertainment at Newport County AFC’s match against Burton Albion, where the Red Devils will sky-dive onto the pitch to present the match ball to the referee.

City residents will get to taste the food and drink of the Alliance’s 28 nations at a festival running along the banks of the River Usk near the Riverfront Theatre and The Wave. Cuisine from Spain to Latvia, and Turkey to the US will be served alongside music, entertainment and children activities including climbing walls and the army’s inflatable assault course challenge.

Serving soldiers from across the army, including 160 (Wales) Brigade, will be on hand to demonstrate military vehicles and equipment, and army chefs will be cooking up the meals they serve to troops on the frontline.

The celebrations are due to finish at 4.30pm.

Councillor Ray Truman, deputy leader of Newport City Council, said there will be something for all the family to enjoy and the NATO theme it "will raise awareness of the global event taking place in our city next month.”

Secretary of State for Wales Stephen Crabb urged people to attend the festival for "a great day out and an opportunity to experience the food and culture from the NATO countries.

“Newport has a huge amount to offer and will undoubtedly be a fantastic host city for next month’s Summit."

He added the Summit will be the biggest gathering of world leaders ever to take place in the UK and that "Newport will play a critical role in helping to showcase all that is great about Wales and why people should do business, visit or study here.”

The 2014 NATO Summit is being held at The Celtic Manor on 4-5 September.