MUSIC fans got a taste of the festival experience without the mud at a Pontypool pub this weekend.

The Unicorn in Albion Road hosted a beer and music festival featuring plenty of live music and ales and ciders from local brewers.

With Green Man and the V Festival both taking place this weekend, manager Helen Swidenbank said the locals had praised the pub for bringing the festival scene closer to home.

The music, organised by Ms Swidenbank's brother Jim Swidenbank, kicked off on Friday evening and wrapped up on Sunday night.

Acts including Rob Lear, Hip Route, Aled Clifford, Ellie Makes Music,The Bakestones and Joe Kelly performed throughout the weekend.

Miss Swidenbank said the pub had had a "really good turnout" for the weekend with around 150 enjoying the music on Saturday.

Her highlight Hip Route "went down really well" on Saturday evening and she said the real ales had been a big success with customers.

She added: "The response has been really good. People were saying it's nice to go somewhere local rather than having to go further a field for an event like this."