BBC Watchdog presenter Nicky Campbell will be opening the Raglan Music Festival on Friday, June 12.

Nicky who is also known for his Radio Five Live show has a passion for music and has been writing music professionally on and off since he was 20.

He has written two Edinburgh Fringe Festival Musicals, worked as a TV and Radio jingle writer and won a Sony Award for the original music he wrote for Radio 1. He is also an accomplished ukulele player and writes his own material.

Nicky's musical talent came to fruition when he met Mark Moraghan of Holby City whilst working together in the BBC's 'Just the Two of Us' competition. They share a passion for Swing and Jazz and so Nicky Campbell and Mark Moraghan have collaborated to produce an album of original swing and jazz songs.

 The festival, now in its fifth year, will be held over three days, June 12-14 with the committee building on last year's success by attracting big names from the world of rock, folk and classical music.

From the world of folk the legendary Dave Swarbrick appears on Saturday followed by Ashley Hutchings The Lark Rise Band at The Beaufort Arms. Meanwhile St Cadoc's has been lucky enough to secure The Three (other) Tenors from the Welsh National Opera.

Sunday is rounded off by the Tredegar Orpheus Male Voice Choir and Usk Youth Band in the wonderful surroundings of Raglan Castle and in the evening Abba Gold will wrap up the weekend playing everyone's favourite hits at the The Beaufort.

Chairman Rob Atkins said, "It's amazing to see how far the festival has come in the past five years and the quality of performers the festival now attracts. Clearly none of this would be possible without the sponsors who are determined to put Raglan on the map.

"But the big names draw in local talent too,of which there is plenty. Throughout the weekend there will be free events in Castle Courtyard, The Crown and The Ship, jamming sessions, jazz bands and busking which makes Raglan a festival for the whole community."

The complete programme can be viewed online at http://www.raglan-festival.org">www.raglan-festival.org and tickets can be bought directly from the website or for music only events from The Beaufort Arms, Raglan.