The national park authority is helping to fund the ten events

The first of ten spring and summer festivals set up to boost tourism around the Brecon Beacons area is being launched.

The two-week Crickhowell Festival, which opens on Tuesday, is one of a number of events organised by communities lying within the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority (BBNPA) area.

The projects have got off the ground with the help of sustainable event funding in an effort to attract visitors to the area whose economy suffered badly in the foot-and-mouth epidemic two.

Apart from the Crickhowell event which is centred on choral music, the summer diary will include festivals celebrating activities as diverse as skateboarding, football and farming.

The enthusiasm, determination and commitment from certain event organisers has been outstanding Jonathan Cook, co-ordinator

The park authority has provided start-up grants of up to �1,000 for each event.

"We have received applications from groups not normally associated with event organising," said Jonathan Cook, the sustainable events co-ordinator.

Rallying

"Event themes have deviated from the normal craft, food and agricultural ones.

"This is a promising trend that will appeal to other sectors of the local and greater communities."

These events include the Abergavenny Festival Skate Park Weekend in July and an inter-town five-a-side football competition at Talgarth in August.

"The enthusiasm, determination and commitment from certain event organisers has been outstanding," said Mr Cook.

Mr Cook has applauded the hard work of festivals' organisers

"If it weren't for certain individuals, rallying and cajoling, events would never see the light of day.

"I applaud those that have the tenacity and foresight to seek a brighter future for their community."

Music, walks, talks, an art exhibition and a working craft group all feature in the Crickhowell and District Festival, which runs from 29 April until 10 May.

The central core of the festival is the Crickhowell Choral Society's May festival weekend, with music by Elgar, Walton, Britten and Purcell.

However, the added financial support of the Sustainable Events Fund has allowed an extension of events at this year's festival.

"The national park has recognised the long term effects to tourism and agriculture of the devastating foot-and mouth-epidemic," said Mary Thomas, of facilitators Crickhowell Resource and Information Centre..

"This festival has evolved as a result of various local organisations getting together to form a programme designed to attract visitors to the area."