Around 90,000 visitors are expected to arrive at the Royal Welsh Showground over the next week as the Urdd Eisteddfod arrives in Powys.

The Brecon and Radnor Urdd Eisteddfod is the first time the event, billed as Europe’s largest youth festival, has been staged in the area for 40 years.

In 1978 the Urdd Eisteddfod was also staged at the Llanelwedd showground and planning for this year’s event has been ongoing since 2015.

Aled Siôn, Urdd Eisteddfod director praised the efforts of local people who have been fund-raising to stage the event.

He said: "Here we are at last, for the first time in 40 years, returning as the Urdd Eisteddfod to the picturesque Llanelwedd area. I would like to thank all those who live in the vast Brecon and Radnorshire region from the bottom of my heart for their hard work preparing and raising money to ensure that this year’s Eisteddfod is a success.

"Thank you also to the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show for allowing us to use their exceptional site at Llanelwedd as home to the Eisteddfod. We are very much looking forward to welcoming everybody here to enjoy the environment, the atmosphere and the warmest of welcomes."

Competitions start on Bank Holiday Monday, May 28 but this weekend concerts are taking place in Brecon and Builth Wells to mark the arrival of the Eisteddfod.

At Theatr Brycheiniog on Saturday, May 26 a concert featuring performers from local secondary schools takes place while on the following day the opening concert at the Showground Pavilion features former X Factor contestant Lloyd Macey, the Welsh Whisperer and Al Lewis.

The real action begins the following morning as the first of 15,000 children and young people aged 5-25 years, expected throughout the week, will be given the opportunity to show off their talents in a wide range of competitions including singing, dancing, hairdressing, cookery and art and design.

On Tuesday 120 youngsters from local primary schools will come together at the pavilion on the field to present the story of Gerallt Gymro.

Some of the main competitions that will see will see the winners crowned in the pavilion at 4pm each day are the Art Design and Technology Medal and Scholarship; The Composition Medal; The Learner’s Medal; The Drama Medal; The Chair and The Crown.

Away from the competing the Eisteddfod features 80 stands selling jewellery, books, arts and crafts, presents and much more; food and drink stalls catering for all tastes; Gwyddonle, the science tent where visitors can test their motor racing skills, be part of a rowing team or learn how to programme a robot; The Cogurdd Kitchen where cookery competitions will be judged by Beca Lyne-Pirkis; Hairdressing and beauty competitions judged by Maggi Noggi; and Y Pentre – featuring a Sports Area, Mistar Urdd’s Village and a performance stage.

The week will close with a gig on Saturday evening, June 2 featuring Welsh bands Candelas, Yr Eira, Y Cledra and Serol Serol.

An Eisteddfod Ap, which is availed for free from urdd.cymru/siop, has also been developed to give visitors a full list of activities.

Councillor Myfanwy Alexander, Powys council’s cabinet member for education and the Welsh language, said: “It is not an overstatement to say that the whole area is has fallen under the Urdd’s spell. Volunteers have raised not only money for the Eisteddfod itself, but have also raised awareness of it.

“There has been a significant increase in the number of competitors, especially from the Brecon and Radnorshire area, and the young people of Powys have already enjoyed successes in the art and craft competitions.

“The Eisteddfod offers a platform for our talented young people, whether they be fluent in Welsh or learners, and also includes those in our special schools.

“It is a fantastic opportunity also to welcome visitors from all parts of Wales and beyond; we are confident that people will come to the Eisteddfod for a few days, and after seeing what Powys has to offer, will return to explore the area further.”

Daily tickets to visit the Eisteddfod field as well as the evening shows can be bought from the Canolfan Groeso (Welcome Centre) on the field or via the website – urdd.cymru/eisteddfod. For further information call 0845 2571639.