AN Usk jeweller has been commissioned to design and create the bardic crown for the National Eisteddfod of Wales.

Deborah Edwards is creating the crown, which is specially designed each year and is awarded to the winning entrant in the competition for free verse poetry (Pryddest)

The jeweller, who works from her workshop near Usk, said: “Initially, I had to send the organisers a letter and images of previous work. The people who were shortlisted were visited in their workshops to discuss their proposals for the crown.”

“I was commissioned to design the crown and have already started to create it. I’m really looking forward to finishing the piece and seeing it presented at the Eisteddfod. It will be a real honour.”

She added: “As a Welsh jeweller, I feel very honoured to be chosen to make the crown, especially as the Eisteddfod is coming to my home county of Monmouthshire.”

“It has been a challenge, but one that I am relishing. I am determined to make a crown fit for a royalty.”

Around 150,000 visitors are expected to visit this year's festival at Castle Meadows in Abergavenny between July 29 and August 6.