THE Abertawe Festival of Young Musicians is in full swing over at Swansea's Guildhall, with youthful talent given free rein from 10am each day.

Now in its 19th year, the festival attracts performers, largely under the age of 18, from across South Wales, for a string of musical events.

The focus is on fun and learning, and with no competitive element.

Running all through the day until Tuesday there will be public competitions, performance classes, workshops, masterclasses and informal teaching sessions with a host of international performers.

Primary schools from across the region send their school bands and their recorder players along for the final day of the event and festival chairman Penny Davies said the guest recital is always a big draw.

"Saturday afternoon is always a not-to-be missed highlight."

That recital starts at 1pm, with Wissam Boustany on flute, and Nigel Clayton, who teaches at The Royal College of Music, on piano. They will be followed by a saxophone workshop led by Gerard McChrystal. He has worked with Philip Glass and The Smith Quartet over the years. Other highlights throughout the week will include Nick Whiting and Keith Hewitt of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales holding a string workshop on Monday.