Swansea has put itself forward to hostWales' biggest cultural festival - the National Eisteddfod - in 2006 after a gap of almost a quarter of a century

The city and county council announced on Thursday it would be issuing a formal invitation to the eisteddfod's organisers to come to the city it last visited in 1982.

Councillor Robert Francis-Davies: Invitation

"We want them and they want us. The eisteddfod has changed and so has Swansea," said Councillor Robert Francis-Davies, the city's Cabinet Member for Culture and Recreation.

"We're delighted to be able to welcome Wales' largest cultural event back to Swansea."

A major money-spinner attracting visitors from around Wales and the world,the eisteddfod traditionally alternates between different venues in the south and north of the country.

This month the festival visited the tiny west Wales city of St David's. Despite the rain more than 130,000 people visited the maes providing the local economy with a major boost.

Councillor Francis-Davies pointed to the large cultural programme which operated in Swansea now as its credentials for hosting the eisteddfod.

The Maritime and Industrial Museum is one of Swansea's new attractions

"Swansea has really come of age culturally since the eisteddfod's last visit.

"We now have the Dylan Thomas Centre and by 2005 we will also have the industrial and maritime museum in the marina," he said.

"As well as that there's the Glyn Vivian art gallery which in the last year has hosted exhibitions by such major figures as Caneleto, Turner and Leonardo da Vinci."

The council also has already undertaken feasability work to identify a potential site for the maes, with Singleton Park the favoured option.

There was also a developing interest in the Welsh-language, said the councillor.

"We gave a new Welsh medium primary and secondary school opening here.

This year's eisteddfod was at St David's

"And there's also a strong tradition of Welsh cultural connections like the strong make voice choir representation."

Mark Stonelake, chairman of Ty Tawe club in Swansea, which promotes all things Welsh in the city and also offers lessons for all levels of Welsh learners, welcomed the news of the invitation for the eisteddfod.

"It's fantastic. It will be a great opportunity for Welsh learners to network and a chance to welcome beginners," said Mr Stonelake.

The eisteddfod's organisers are expected to respond to Swansea's invitation in November when the long process of planning Europe's largest indigenous cultural festival will begin.

"We're hoping we will be able to team up culturally with our Irish twin town Cork which is the European Capital of Culture in 2006." said Councillor Francis-Davies.