The arrival of the Olympic Torch in Monmouthshire on May 25 presents a golden opportunity for talented artistes to strut their stuff in front of an audience potentially numbering many millions. 

Monmouthshire County Council is seeking groups and individuals to voluntarily entertain the crowds lining the streets of Abergavenny, Raglan and Monmouth and will consider anything from theatrical and circus acts to musical and sporting organisations. 

The day's events will be covered by a large number of journalists broadcasting across the globe and all the council asks is that entertainers must be mobile so that they can move in line with other performers.

 Interested parties should log onto http://www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/streetentertainment">www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/streetentertainment and complete the form or pick one up at any of the council's one stop shops. The closing date for return is March 23 and successful applicants will be informed by April 5.

 Monmouthshire's cabinet member for culture, Councillor Giles Howard (pictured) said, "This will be a memorable occasion and a once in a lifetime opportunity for talented entertainers to perform on the world stage. I'm really looking forward to a brilliant, colourful and unforgettable day!"

Meanwhile, churches across Abergavenny and the surrounding area were invited to a day that aimed to help them prepare for their engagement with this year's Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The event offered a choice of eleven practical workshops covering topics such as running a community festival, using sport to engage with people of every age and how to be inclusive for those with disabilities.

It was organised by More Than Gold, the charity set up to help churches serve their communities and international visitors through the Games.

The group's UK Director Jon Burns said, "With the Olympic Torch visiting Abergavenny on May 25, we wanted to help the churches to play their part and not just for the Torch Relay but for the Games themselves."