THE first practice day ahead of the Ryder Cup proved a hit with visitors, as locals gear up for thousands more fans when the competition begins. NATALIE CROCKETT, JESSICA BEST and ALISON SANDERS report.

THE first chance to see the world’s best golfers getting ready for the Ryder Cup was yesterday hailed a success by spectators and city residents.

30,000 fans made their way to the Celtic Manor’s 2010 course from specially-built park and ride facilities without a hitch while police reported no major problems on the roads.

Chief executive of Ryder Cup Wales 2010 Ltd Rob Holt said arrangements at the two sites in Tredegar House and Llanwern steelworks had all gone smoothly.

He said: “Talking to spectators today who have used the park and ride facilities at both Llanwern and Tredegar House, they have reported that all arrangements are running smoothly.

“Once on the course, they have been effusive in their praise of the set up here and are looking forward to a memorable week.”

Rush hour traffic did not seem to pose problems for city workers as local firms made arrangements for them to avoid the worst of the congestion.

Staff at legal firm B2 from Beachcroft, based at Imperial Park opposite the Tredegar House park and ride site, have been given flexible working hours coming in earlier or later than normal throughout the tournament.

Human resources business manager Wendy Giles said: “We told staff that if they had any holiday to take during this week then we would try and accommodate that and people who are set up to work from home are able to do so.”

Workers at the Office for National Statistics in Duffryn already work flexitime, but a spokesman said they were warned in advance that there could be traffic problems during the week.

While most schools will close throughout the city on Friday, four will stay open.

Newport City Council gave headteachers the option of holding a training day in an effort to reduce the amount of traffic on the roads.

But Newport High School, High Cross Primary, Brynglas Primary and Malpas Park Primary will be open as usual.

Malpas Park Primary headteacher, Gareth Gillingham, said the school was told the majority of people would already have travelled to the Celtic Manor by the time school starts.

He added: “Most of our pupils walk to school so we won’t have any issues with school transport.”

A spokeswoman for Newport council said: “The decision to hold a training day rested with the schools' governing bodies and schools that have chosen to hold a training day are aware this is part of its allocation and not an additional day.”

Five Newport children will take to the stage at the Welcome to Wales concert tonight.

Sisters Harriet and Liliana Tucker, aged seven and 10, Ella Evans, nine, Josie Evans, six, and Caitlin Brockway, nine, will join around 2,000 other youngsters singing the Welsh national anthem.

They will star alongside Catherine Zeta-Jones, Katherine Jenkins and Only Men Aloud at the event.